Homemade Chocolate

This recipe will help you realize that high-quality chocolate and cacao are, in fact, a fantastic, healthy addition to your diet. Have Fun as you Gather2Nourish in the kitchen! :) :)

Ingredients (use organic where possible)

- 100g cacao butter, melted
- ½ cup cacao powder
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- Pinch of salt
- Essential oils* for flavor (we love peppermint)
- Dried fruits (optional)
- Cashews (optional)
- Dried coconut (optional)

Directions

1. Have your chocolate mold dry and ready to use.
2. Melt the cacao butter in a small saucepan over low heat.
3. When melted, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in all the ingredients (except the optional ones).
4. Mix until well combined.
5. Stir in any doTERRA essential oils to your liking.
6. Spoon the mixture into the trays and top with the optional dried fruits, cashews, dried banana, and dried coconut.
7. Fridge until set and then pop them out.

* Essential Oil - QUALITY MATTERS! If you desire the best benefits of Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils, I recommend doTERRA. More info at: my.doterra.com/gather2nourish

Esta receita vai ajudar a perceber que o chocolate e o cacau de alta qualidade são, na verdade, uma adição fantástica e saudável à nossa dieta. Divirta-se enquanto se alimenta com saúde na cozinha! :) :)

Ingredientes (use biologicos sempre que possível):

• 100g de manteiga de cacau, derretida
• ½ copo de cacau em pó
• ¼ copo de xarope de maple
• Pitada de sal
• Óleos essenciais doTERRA* para sabor (adoramos hortelã-pimenta)
• Frutas secas (opcional)
• Caju (opcional)
• Coco seco (opcional)

Modo de preparo:

1. Forma de chocolate pronta para usar.
2. Derreta a manteiga de cacau em uma panela pequena em lume baixo.
3. Quando derretido, retire a panela do lume e adicione todos os ingredientes (exceto os opcionais).
4. Misture bem até que tudo esteja combinado.
5. Adicione os óleos essenciais doTERRA a gosto.
6. Coloque a mistura nas formas e adicione as frutas secas, caju, banana seca e coco seco (opcional).
7. Coloque no frigorifico até ficar firme e, em seguida, retire da forma.

*Óleo essencial - QUALIDADE É IMPORTANTE! Se deseja os melhores benefícios dos óleos essenciais de grau terapêutico puro, recomendo doTERRA. Mais informações em: my.doterra.com/gather2nourish

Recipe adapted from Gaia.com

Chocolate Chia Berry Pudding

 Chocolate Chia Berry Pudding

This extra special and nourishing treat works wonders for both your brain and your gut. Chia seeds are a significant source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, which help to enhance cognitive wellness by improving memory and fueling the brain with the healthy fats it needs to thrive. These potent little seeds also offer plenty of fiber to encourage microbial diversity in the gut and enhance proper motility and functioning, which influences the clarity of your brain and gut conversation. From a culinary perspective, only one word can describe Chocolate Chia Berry Pudding — YUM!

Serves: 2
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: none
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• ½ cup chia seeds
• 2 cups plant-based milk (unsweetened)
• 4 Tbsps cocoa or cacao powder (Fair Trade, unsweetened)
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• 4 Tbsps maple syrup (or date paste; link in Chef’s Notes)
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 2 pinches salt (optional)
• ½ cup blueberries
• 2 Tbsps dark chocolate (optional; Fair Trade, shaved)

Directions

1. In a medium-size bowl, add the chia seeds, plant-based milk, cacao powder, ground turmeric, maple syrup (or date paste), vanilla extract, and salt, if using. Whisk together until all ingredients are combined.
2. Leave the mixture in the bowl for 15 minutes without stirring for the chia seeds to gel. After 15 minutes, whisk it together one more time.
3. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for four hours or overnight.
4. Remove the chocolate chia seed pudding from the refrigerator, stir with a spoon, and divide into small dessert sized glasses.
5. Top with your berries and dark chocolate shavings, if desired.

Chef's Notes

Substitutions
Instead of blueberries, add your favorite organic berries or fruit such as pineapple, banana or kiwi.

Sugar-free
Use date paste instead of maple syrup.

Storage
Store in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 5 days.

From: Food revolution Network

Esther's favorites - Yummy CHOCOLATE

This recipe will help you realize that high-quality chocolate and raw cacao are, a fantastic, healthy addition to your diet.

Ingredients

(use organic where possible)

• 100g cacao butter, melted
• ½ cup cacao powder
• ¼ cup maple syrup or raw honey
• Pinch of salt
• Essential oils for flavor
• Nuts and/or seeds
• 
  
• Directions

1. Have your ice tray or chocolate mold dry and ready to use.
2. Melt the cacao butter in a small saucepan over low heat.
3. When melted, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in all the ingredients (except the optional ones).
4. Mix until well combined.
5. Stir in any doTERRA flavors to your liking. Citrus like clementine and lemon are delicious.
6. Spoon the mixture into the ice cube trays and top with the optional nuts and/or seeds.
7. Freeze until set and then pop them out.

We keep them in the refrigerator - but they don't last long! :) :)

1. 
   

Adapted from: Chef Cynthia Louise

Dessert - Chocolaty Brownies

This recipe from Dr. Fuhrman sounds fantastic!

• For the Brownies:
• 1/2 cup natural cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup almond or chestnut flour
• 1 3/4 cups mashed cooked sweet potato
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla flavor
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2/3 cup roughly chopped walnuts
• 1 tablespoon ground flax, hemp or chia seeds
• 3 tablespoons soy, hemp or almond milk
• For the Frosting:
• 6 regular or 3 Medjool dates, pitted
• 2 tablespoons tahini
• 2 tablespoons natural cocoa powder
• 4-5 tablespoons water to thin icing

For the Brownie:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix the cocoa powder and flour together and then mix into the mashed sweet potato. Stir in cinnamon, vanilla, baking soda, baking powder, walnuts, seeds and non-dairy milk. Press dough into a lightly-oiled
9" x 9" baking dish and bake for 30 minutes. The brownies will firm up after they have cooled.

For the Frosting:
Using a food processor, process dates until they form a paste, then add remaining ingredients. Spread on brownies after they have cooled.
Cut into squares.

Makes 9 brownies.

Dessert - Apple Crisp

We love good organic apples! Apples are one of the 10 plant foods that I do advice to buy organic, if possible.

I made this recipe for the first time yesterday, and we really enjoyed it!

INGREDIENTS

• 4 green apples, (peeled if not organic) and cored
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1/4-1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Slice apples thinly and spread in a 9"×9" baking dish. Sprinkle with lemon juice, and cinnamon.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Combine oats, walnuts, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt in a bowl. Stir to mix, then spread evenly over apples.

Bake until apples are tender when pierced with a knife, about 30 minutes. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Adapted from Dr. Neal Barnard - http://www.pcrm.org/

Dessert - Banana Creme Sauce

1 cup soaked raw cashews (2 hours)
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp water
2 tbsp pure maple syrup
1-2 frozen bananas
1 tbsp lemon juice

Place all ingredients in a blender and process on high speed until smooth.

Yield: 1 cup, 8 servings

Serve this sauce instead of whipped cream with fresh berries, cakes, pies and tarts.

Dessert - Healthy Cookie Dough Dip

Ingredients

• 1½ cups dates, pitted & soaked for 4-8 hours
• 1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed (or 1½ cups)
• ¼ cup of the date soak water
• 1½ tablespoons vanilla extract, alcohol-free
• 2 tablespoons almond butter
• 2 tablespoons cashews, ground
• 2 tablespoons flaxseed, ground
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

1. Soak the dates in water for preferably 8 hours, but a minimum of 4 hours. Strain the dates from water, but make sure to save ½ cup of the soak liquid.
2. Add the dates and garbanzo beans to a food processor (for best results do not use a blender). Add ¼ cup of the soak liquid to food processor along with remaining ingredients. Blend until very smooth.
3. There should be no trace of dates; they should be completely broken up. You may want to add another ¼ cup of soak liquid if consistency is too thick. If so, make sure to blend again until you have a smooth, even consistency.
4. This can be served as a sweet dip or spread.

Notes

This recipe makes about 2 cups.

My favorite way to have it is with sliced apples or spread in between two banana slices. It’s also delicious mixed into oatmeal or spread on top of pancakes. Enjoy!

Recipe from Plant-Based Katie Mae.