Tag Archives: sweet

Coconut Rice Pudding with Mango

This is great as a chilled summer dessert! Creamy rice pudding, sweetened naturally by milk and cinnamon, topped with chopped mango – a delicious balance of tart and sweet. The dish draws on Indian and Scandinavian flavors, where both cardamom, cinnamon and rice are staple ingredients in a variety of dishes.

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Ingredients

  • 6 cups whole milk (or coconut milk if you prefer)
  • 1/3 cup uncooked basmati rice
  • 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
  • 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon + more for garnish
  • 2 cups chopped peeled mango (about 2 large mangos)

Directions

  • Combine whole milk and rice in large saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
  • Reduce heat and gently boil for 40 minutes or until mixture thickens
  • Stir in coconut milk, cardamom and cinnamon and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly
  • Spoon~1/2 cup servings into dessert bowls (makes 8 servings)
  • Top with chopped mango and a sprinkle of cinnamon

dit-elle-Esther

Paleo Lemon Bars

When life gives you.. lemons? Paleo lemon bars (pure deliciousness) to the rescue! These are a perfect cool summer dessert. Crowd pleasers and a great protein rich, not too sweet, not too tart dessert.

These did not last very long in my house.. just a warning, they are super yummy! 🙂

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Crust

  • 1/2 cup almond flour (or sesame flour if allergic to nuts)
  • 1/2 cup tapioca flour
  • 3 Tbsp raw honey
  • 2 Tbsp ghee or coconut oil (warmed if solid)
  • Zest of 1/2 lemon

Filling

  • 5 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp tapioca flour
  • 1/2 cup raw honey (warmed if solid)

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Mix almond flour, tapioca flour, raw honey and lemon zest in a food processor until a crumbly dough forms
  • Press into the bottom of an 8×8 glass baking dish
  • Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool for 20 minutes
  • To make filling, whisk eggs in a medium mixing bowl.
  • In a separate bowl whisk the lemon juice and tapioca flour until fully combined.
  • Whisk lemon mixture and eggs together, being careful to not over-whisk
  • Whisk in the raw honey
  • Pour filling over crust
  • Place in oven and let bake for ~25 minutes or until just set (firm on outside, a little wiggly in center)
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool, refrigerate until set, about 4 hours

Thanks for the inspiration http://www.paleocupboard.com/lemon-bars.html

dit-elle-Esther

Marzipan

Marzipan is a totally delicious treat with Scandinavian roots. In it’s most simple form – it’s ground almonds and honey. You work the two ingredients together into a sticky dough and then make balls or a loaf that you cut into slices. I remember as a kid making marzipan..  I don’t think you could get almond meal/flour in the stores where we lived in Norway so this was quite the cooking project.. First you had to blanche, dry and grind almonds (or just grind them with skins intact) with a hand held grinder until you had a fine almond meal. Then you would work in the honey. The best part was making shapes with mini cookie cutters. We would often make marzipan for Easter. We would roll the dough into small egg shapes and dip them in chocolate. After they were dry we wrapped them in tinfoil and hid them outside for our Easter egg hunt!

You can definitely make the honey/almond version, but the recipe below is a total winner. You use almond meal (yes, from a bag! :)), powdered sugar, egg whites, almond essence and the secret ingredient – rose water! Totally delicious and tastes like marzipan from a gourmet candy shop in Europe. I’ve made about 5 batches in the last few months but they kept disappearing (house elves?). I finally got a chance to dip them in chocolate and take some pictures! 🙂

Have fun, unleash the creativity and enjoy!

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Ingredients

  • 1½ cups almond flour/meal
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure almond extract
  • 3/4 teaspoon quality food grade rose water (it is strong!)
  • 1 egg white (this is a few tablespoons and I used pasteurized egg whites from a carton)

Instructions

  1. Place the almond flour and powdered sugar in a food processor and pulse until combined and any lumps are broken up. Add the almond extract, rose water and egg white and process until a thick dough is formed. If the mass is still too wet and sticky, add more powdered sugar and ground almonds. Keep in mind that it will become firmer after it’s been refrigerated.
  2. Turn the almond marzipan out onto a work surface and knead it a few times. Form it into a log, wrap it up in plastic wrap and refrigerate.
  3. This will keep for at least a month in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer. Bring to room temperature before using in any recipe.
  4. Makes about 12 ounces of marzipan or almond paste

I modified this from the original – thanks for the inspiration Daringgourmet.com

dit-elle-Esther

Paleo Carrot Cake

Love Carrot Cake? Yes, please! You could top this with some chopped walnuts or toasted coconut! Even just the carrot cake and cream cheese frosting is delicious. Make this as a cake or 12 individual muffins. 10 eggs seem like a lot for a recipe like this? It’s just under 1 egg per muffin. I think of it as a great source of protein! Blog carrot cupcakes cream cheese frosting coconut-2 Blog carrot cupcakes cream cheese frosting coconut-1 Ingredients

  • 5 whole  Raw Carrot, peeled and shredded
  • 1 cup  Grade B Maple Syrup
  • 3/4 cup  Coconut Flour, sifted
  • 1 Tbsp  ground Cinnamon
  • 1 tsp  Baking Soda
  • Pinch of Sea Salt
  • 10 Eggs
  • 10 Dates (Medjool)
  • 1 Tbsp  Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1 cup  Organic Coconut Oil, melted
  • 2 cup  Cream Cheese Frosting (below)

Directions

  • In a food processor, using the grating blade, shred carrots and then place in a large ziplock bag or bowl with lid.
  • Pour maple syrup over carrots and let marinate in the fridge for an hour.
  • Preheat oven to 325°F.
  • In a small mixing bowl, add sifted coconut flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda.
  • Make date mixture by combining dates and a little water and microwaving for a minute – mash with a fork.
  • In a large mixing bowl or kitchen mixer, blend eggs, vanilla, melted coconut oil, and date mixture.
  • Add dry ingredients to wet and blend.
  • Remove carrots from the fridge, and drain the excess maple syrup from the carrots using a colander. Stir grated carrots into cake batter.
  • Grease two 9-inch cake pans with coconut oil – or – line a 12-muffin tin and pour batter into pan/s.
  • Bake for 35 minutes, ~25 if making muffins
  • Test center with a tooth pick—if it comes out clean, then the cakes are done. Remove from oven and cool.
  • Frost cake with cream cheese frosting, garnish with walnuts or toasted coconut, and serve.

Frosting Ingredients (Ok, cream cheese is not paleo.. but Elana’s Pantry has a coconut frosting that looks delish!)

  • 1 Tbsp  Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1/2 cup  Grade B Maple Syrup
  • 16 oz  Full Fat Cream Cheese (bring to room temperature to soften)
  • 2 Tbsp Ginger Root, grated (optional.. sounds good, but I have not tried this option yet!
  • 1 cup Toasted Coconut (for garnish)
  • Directions: Blend all ingredients (except coconut) with a mixer. Use immediately or refrigerate. Top with toasted coconut!

Thanks and modified slightly: http://www.primalpalate.com/paleo-recipe/carrot-cake/ dit-elle-Esther

Chocolate Chia Pudding

This is a basic and yummy chocolate chia pudding! I eat it for breakfast, or as a power snack. What’s the big deal about chia? Is it just a fad? Well, 2013 definitely seemed to be “year of the chia” but it’s stuck around. Chia seeds are supposed to be rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and packed with vitamins and minerals. They can be eaten raw or soaked (they absorb ~12 times weight in liquid when soaked) and are an easy add to smoothies, energy bars, yogurt, and more.

I made another pudding with chia seeds recently, the Raw “Tapioca” Pudding. That recipe called for cashews and was very yummy, but this one is nut free. You can adjust the amount of sweetness to taste. Lauren also made a Chia Pudding with Blackberries and Honey and that is another great staple recipe.

Enjoy!

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Ingredients

  • 1 (13.5 ounce) can coconut milk, blended
  • 1/2 cup water
  • ¼ cup chia seeds
  • 2 tablespoon cacao powder
  • 1 Tbsp agave, maple syrup or honey
  • sprinkle of celtic sea salt

Instructions

  1. Combine blended coconut milk, water, and chia seeds in a jar and shake well
  2. Add cacao powder, stevia, and salt and shake well
  3. Refrigerate overnight to let chia seeds soften and absorb liquid
  4. Serve and enjoy! 🙂

Inspired and slightly modified from the original. Thanks Elana’s Pantry!

dit-elle-Esther

Paleo Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Paleo coffee cake? This is gluten and grain free and made with high protein almond meal. It turned out fluffy and perfect and the kids loved it as well. I am working on a version with apples that I will post later. 🙂

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The flowers shown are from my Dogwood tree. Not edible, but they are a gorgeous rosy pink.

 

Ingredients

Cake

  • 2 ½ cups blanched almond flour
  • ¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ cup coconut oil
  • ½ cup honey or maple syrup
  • 3 large eggs

Topping

  • ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
  • ¼ cup coconut sugar (or maple syrup again works great)
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup sliced almonds (optional)

Directions

  1. Grease a 9-inch round baking dish with coconut oil and dust with almond flour
  2. In a food processor , combine almond flour, salt, and baking soda
  3. Pulse in coconut oil, honey, and eggs
  4. Spread the batter into prepared baking dish
  5. To make topping, combine coconut oil, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and sliced almonds in a bowl
  6. Brush topping over cake batter
  7. Bake at 350° for 25 to 35 minutes
  8. Cool and serve

Thanks and inspired by Elana’s Pantry

dit-elle-Esther

Lemon Pudding Parfait

Lemon Pudding Parfait anyone? Protein rich and paleo! Top with some chilled whipped cream for some not so paleo but oh so delicious goodness!

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Ingredients

  • 12 egg yolks
  • ¼ cup agave nectar or honey
  • pinch celtic sea salt
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • ½ cup heavy cream or use a can of whipped cream to top the pudding – this will give a little extra sweetener (if you so desire) and is a little time saver! You could also drizzle with some coconut milk for a great dairy free option.

Directions

  • Place egg yolks, agave, and salt in a medium sauce pan
  • While heating over very low flame, whip with a hand blender for 6-8 minutes, then whip in lemon juice
  • Chill for a half an hour
  • If pudding separates, whip with hand blender for 1-2 minutes, until fluffy again
  • Whip cream in a separate bowl
  • Serve in small glasses, alternating layers of pudding and whipped cream
  • Garnish with berries

Serves 4

Thanks Elana’s Pantry! http://elanaspantry.com/lemon-pudding-parfait/

dit-elle-Esther

Raw “Tapioca” Pudding

Blog chia tapioca pudding

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (raw) cashews
  • 3 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract
  • pinch celtic sea salt
  • ¼ cup chia seeds
  1. Place the cashews and water in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth
  2. Blend in the agave, vanilla, almond extract and salt
  3. Place the chia seeds in a large mason jar (½ gallon size), pour the cashew mixture into the jar and shake well (very well!) – or just whisk well in a bowl.
  4. Place in the refrigerator overnight
  5. Serve

Serves 4

Thanks Elana’s Pantry!

dit-elle-Esther

Apricot Coconut Chocolate Bonbons

These bonbons or ‘candy’ balls are very simple to make. Apricot, coconut, orange zest yumminess – AND – you can dip them in chocolate for even more flavorful goodness. Every evening I ask the kids to choose an activity that we do together after dinner. Playtime, go for a walk, do arts and crafts, or do a cooking project.. Last night they chose cooking project! I let them measure, sample, and then we mix everything up, and they helped make these balls. Blog apricot coconut bonbons-1 Blog apricot coconut bonbons-2 Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups unsulfured dried apricots
  • 1 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil, melted if solid

Raw chocolate

  • 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil, melted if solid
  • 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder (or regular cocoa)
  • 1 tablespoons pure maple or coconut syrup
  • pinch fine sea salt

Directions

  • Place apricots, coconut, zest and coconut oil into a food processor and pulse until a rough paste forms.
  • Shape mixture into balls and place ‘bites’ onto a plate and pop in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to firm up
  • Combine raw chocolate ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Remove bites from the freezer and one at a time, quickly dip half into the raw chocolate mixture. It will set instantly. Eat straight away or store in the fridge or freezer in a airtight container.

Source: Thanks MyDarlingLemonThyme for the inspiration! dit-elle-Esther

Strawberry Coconut Bonbons (nut free)

I recently posted the Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bonbons and the Raspberry Coconut Bonbons. Both were big hits, but I wanted to make a nut-free variation of those super yummy bonbons. Because these don’t have the cashew nut as a base, and more water, they freeze harder. Simply remove from freezer a while before serving and let them soften a bit.

You can use strawberries, raspberries or another berry or fruit as desired. Adding a small chunk of cooked beet adds a great deeper pink color but does not taint the taste! I promise.. tried and tested and kid approved!

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup coconut cream (full fat, unsweetened, comes in cans)
  • 1 cup raspberries or other berry
  • 1-2 Tbsp agave syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Directions

  • Blend everything on high for about a minute, or until really smooth.
  • Pour into silicone muffin trays (oiled with a little coconut oil), or regular metal trays lined with paper cases. Freeze to set for at least 30 minutes.
  • Remove patties from the molds and place into container and return to freezer.
  • They will keep in a covered container in the freezer for 2-3 weeks.

dit-elle-Esther