Cacao Bliss Balls

These bliss balls are a great source of protein, good fats, vitamins & minerals. Lucuma powder is made from the fruit of the 'Pouteria Lucuma' tree native to Peru, Chile and Equador. The lucuma fruit is then fried at a low temperature and milled into a fine powder which is naturally sweet and contains iron, zinc, calcium and protein. They also contain medjool dates which are my favourite type of date because they naturally sweet and soft in texture, which makes them perfect for blending. If you can't find medjool dates you could always used regular dates but soak them in a little hot water to soften before blending.

Makes 5 balls

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp raw cacao powder
  • 2 tbsp lucuma powder
  • 2 tbsp ground almonds
  • 2 tbsp cashew nuts
  • 10 Medjool dates
  • 3 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Desiccated coconut, for rolling

Method:

  1. Place all the ingredients into a food processor. Pulse until a rough paste is formed.
  2. Shape into balls, then roll in desiccated coconut. Transfer to the fridge for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

Chocolate Coconut Bites

These little bites of heaven are a play on the 'Bounty' bars I grew up eating. This version is a little healthier of course but is rich & flavoursome with addition of dark chocolate & real pieces of coconut.

Serves 12

Ingredients:

  • 240ml coconut milk
  • 60ml coconut oil
  • 4 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of sea-salt
  • 225g desiccated coconut
  • 400g dark chocolate, 72% cocoa solids

Method:

  1. Grease and line a 20cm square tin.
  2. Whisk together the coconut milk, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract and sea-salt. Once well combined add the desiccated coconut and beat together.
  3. Pour the coconut mix into the prepared cake tin and transfer to the freezer for at least 2 hours. Take out of the freezer at this point and cut into bite sized bars. Freeze again for a further 30 minutes.
  4. Melt the chocolate over a double boiler, being careful to not allow the chocolate to burn.
  5. This is the messy part; cover the coconut bars with the melted dark chocolate. You can apply two thin coats of the chocolate for a more even finish if you wish.
  6. Once covered, transfer to the fridge to set.

Banana & Coconut Pancakes

These delicious pancakes are quick to make & weigh in pretty well on the healthy scale. They are gluten, grain and dairy-free.

Ingredients:

  • 3 large bananas, mashed
  • 2 eggs, whisked
  • 3 tbsp desiccated coconut
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • Coconut oil, for frying
  • Blood oranges, peeled & sliced
  • Maple syrup, for drizzling

 

Method:

  1. Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl.
  2. Spoon a little coconut oil into a frying pan & heat gently over a low heat.
  3. Once the oil has melted, scoop small ladles of the batter into the pan. Watch the pancakes at this point as they burn easily.
  4. Flip them over once ready. When they are golden and cooked through, serve immediately with sliced blood oranges & a drizzle of maple syrup.