Recipes

Paleo Chocolate Chip and Banana Bread...Yummy

You know when you have had a week of Just eating all the junk in the world? Well I'm having one of those weeks and its not like I can say, ok I'm on a diet from Monday because being pregnant means that I shouldn't really go on my mad diets (which funnily enough I miss). I'm  feeling constantly hungry and every time I eat I get this horrible heartburn.

 

Yesterday morning I didn't feel too well and I stupidly skipped breakfast and by lunch time I was starving! I made myself a cheese and jam sandwich...Yep you read correctly and as I consumed the whole thing in a couple of minutes, I didn't feel in control of my body anymore...I needed this control back and eating sugary things is just not good for me or baby, so I decided to make a some paleo banana and dark chocolate bread. At least if I then have a sugar craving I could have something that has healthy ingredients in it. So here goes...

 

First preheat the oven at 170 degrees and grease and line a load tin with baking paper. You will need the following ingredients

300 g of almond flour

1 tsp. of baking powder

A pinch of salt

1 cup and a little bit extra of dark chocolate chips ( I used a bar of 85% green and blacks dark chocolate and chopped it up)

2  eggs (from the fridge)

2 very ripe bananas (chopped)

1/4 of agave syrup (you can use honey too)

1 tsp. of orange juice

 

 

 

Beat the eggs for a couple of minutes with an electric whisk and add the bananas, agave and orange juice and whisk till well combined. Next add the 1/2 the almond flour,  baking powder and salt and mix till well combined, then add the rest of the almond flour and combine well. Lastly fold in the chocolate chips and put the mixture in the loaf tin. Sprinkle on top a few more chocolate chips and bake in the oven for around 35 minutes. Test with a toothpick to see if it's ready. When ready remove from the oven and leave to completely cool on a wire rack!

Cut a slice and enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee!  

 

Lastly, this appraisal I received last Sunday made my heart melt ...

 

 

 

Speak soon, Love,

 

Minoushe xx

 

Naughty Oreo, Bourbon and Marshmallow Squares....Great for emergency cake sales and parties

Ahhh Panic...I opened my inbox to find an email from my son's school reminding me that on Friday was his class's cake sale. I had a stinking cold and was feeling so grumpy but I couldn't  let my little one down. I rattled my brain...what can I make that's easy and will hardly take any time? Got it! Oreo and Bourbon marshmallow squares. Next I had to check I had the ingredients....result! I did...

Ingredients

• 50g of unsalted butter
• 450g (2 bags) of marshmallows
• 450g of a mix of Oreos and Bourbon biscuits
• Sprinkles, edible glitter and mini marshmallows for decorating

I first came across a very similar recipe on Pinterest. I adapted it and made it slightly more British. Instead of using all Oreo biscuits, I use a combination of Bourbons and Oreos - actually more like 300g of Bourbons and 150g of Oreos. I like this combo better not only are Oreos far dearer than Bourbons (in England) but I have found that using the Bourbons makes the recipe less heavy and not overpowering.

So to make the squares you need to

• Line a shallow tray with baking paper and very lightly grease

• Smash the hell out of the biscuits, I would personally use a food processor. Typically I hadn't unpacked my processor yet and I couldn't find the box. So I smashed the hell out of them while I patiently listened to my son practice on his piano.
• Put the butter and the marshmallows in a saucepan on a low heat and stir with a wooden spoon* till they have melted.

• Add the the crushed biscuits to the marshmallow mixture and mix well.
• Remove mixture from heat and pour into the tray and spread evenly.
• Decorate with edible glitter, mini marshmallows or whatever your heart desires.
• Put aside to set for an hour or so till firm.
• Cut into squares and voila!

* if  you are into licking the spoon, please take care, it's really hot!!

Check out where I got the original recipe from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/568579521675546005/

Speak soon,

Love, Minoushe xx

Flap Jacks...The clean way!

So I have an incredibly sweet tooth and up to about couple of months ago I was following the Paleo way of eating (please note that I don't refer to it a diet).  it was just a way of eating I tended to follow 80% of the time (which, yes did help me lose a significant amount of weight). I'd basically cut out sugar (except honey, molasses and maple syrup) processed food, potatoes, wheat, grains, dairy (unless raw) and bread. My diet consisted of lots of fruit, vegetables, meat and nuts. I’ll explain in a later post why I'm currently back on wheat. While eating the Paleo way, one of my dearest and closest friends (Kat) and I wanted to still have our cake and eat it...so we started making Paleo cakes and treats. We were soon selling cakes to one of our local pubs and just enjoyed the baking. Now I have left Brighton, I really do miss her and miss all my friends that I left behind. Making a Paleo treat brings back the fond memories Kat and I spent in the kitchen coming up with some very successful recipes and some diabolical disasters. 

Today I had a chocolate cookie which I must admit, it was bloody awesome! Seeming that I'm not a naturally skinny Minnie, I really don't want to find myself getting into daily naughty habits. So following my cookie and my brownie the day before, I decided I was going to make some Paleo flapjacks. 

At least if I'm having treat that's high in calories I want it to be good and nourishing for me and my family...well my son and I...Ian doesn't do things that contain nuts in them! He prefers the processed stuff full of real sugar... In fact when Kat and I would make a cake we would be extremely chuffed if it passed the 'Ian test'

To make these awesome coconutty flapjacks you will need the following:- 

• 300g desiccated coconut
• 200g ground almonds
• 340g of honey *
• 1 tsp of vanilla essence 
• 1 tsp of baking powder 
• 1 egg (whisked) 
• Dried fruit (optional)

Mix the whole lot together really well (I use my hands) and place in a lined baking tray. Put in a preheated 160 degree oven for about 20 minutes. 

 If it starts looking a bit overdone cover it in foil and return to the oven. After 20 minutes remove from the oven and allow it to cool and set. Once cooled, they should feel firm to the touch. 

Next cut yourself a slice (or 2) and enjoy! 

Store in a airtight container for about 3-4 days if it lasts that long! 

These beauties are wheat free, the sugar used is honey and full of goodness! Enjoy!

If you are interested in finding out more about the Paleo diet, send me an e-mail.  I have included some links below that you may find interesting.  I also have a Paleo board on my Pinterest which you can have a look at.

http://robbwolf.com/what-is-the-paleo-diet/

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2010/10/04/the-beginners-guide-to-the-paleo-diet/

Please remember if you are going to follow a certain way of eating, you may need to speak to your doctor first and remember to do lots of research about it! As with any diet it has it's pros and cons.

Love,
Minoushe xx

*you can substitute the honey for agave if you wish.