I’ve been sighting seductive bowls of chickpea cookie dough around Instagram, and couldn’t resist making my own. After all, who doesn’t want to feel like they’re eating cookie dough for breakfast, while nourishing and fueling themselves for the day ahead? There’s something just so wickedly satisfying about eating “dessert” for breakfast – having your cake (/cookie dough) and eating it too.
Is there anything better than chocolate brownies? Double chocolate chunk brownies of course!!
… Which is why I’m so excited to be sharing this recipe by my wonderful friend, gifted chocolatier, raw treats creator and boss lady Jordan Leitch from Leitchy Creates. If you’re in Sheffield, keep your eyes peeled for her stalls where you can buy her fabulous creations. For the rest of us, luckily her artisan chocolate boxes are available to order online. I’ve had two of them and they were both an absolute delight (trust me, I’m not just saying that because she’s my friend đ ) She also shares tons of inspiring recipes, so definitely go check her out! Hope you enjoy these brownies and have a wonderful day!
Pitaya, also known as dragon fruit, is without doubt one of my favorite fruits ever. It feels like such a treat anytime I have it, which is, unfortunately, not offen enough. I remember the first time I tried it, on a trip to China a few years ago, and being utterly fascinated by its appearance and taste. Since then, it’s always had a special place in the (large) part of my heart dedicated to food. Then, last summer I discovered dried pitaya, at an unforgettable food market in Aix-en-Provence, where my boyfriend and I stocked up on lots of wondrous things for our journey home, including passionfruit cubes and dried aloe vera [had no idea that even existed].
Hi everyone! Today I’d like to share a recipe with you from the lovely Emma. I had a tough time choosing as all her recipes look and sound amazing and are mostly centered around breakfast or dessert (or both! check out her latest recipe for Banoffee Pie Oats!) , which is my absolute favorite kind of food.
These fudgy sweet potato brownies look incredible and I can’t wait to make them once I have an oven again! Do check out her site for more fabulous recipes, as well as all things running-related. Hope you enjoy!Â
Sweet, sticky, chewy, gooey... these little caramel-y squares are my new favorite indulgent treat! Great to have in the fridge to offer friends or, of course, to sink your teeth into whenever you feel like a little pick-me-up đ You get the caramel-like flavor of the dates and maple syrup, which, with the hint of vanilla and cacao, is utterly irresistible. The walnut butter adds to the luxurious texture, enhancing without competing against the flavors.
Now, you may be thinking this is an odd combination, but if you’re looking to step up your pancake game then look no further! While it’s no secret that cacao and any nut butter under the sun are a match made in heaven, using tahini instead is a great way to switch things up. It adds a hint of bitterness that contrasts wonderfully with the sweetness of the chocolatey pancake, giving it a slightly more sophisticated edge. Don’t worry, the tahini isn’t at all overpowering, though, and, while it maybe gives a bit more of a “grown up” flavor, this is still a chocolate pancake at heart and, essentially, a way to have dessert for breakfast and feel like a kid again.
This bowl of goodness came about by accident. I was up the other night and couldn’t sleep, so I started dreaming about breakfast the next day (who doesn’t, right?) What I’d actually cooked up in my head was pancakes, but the next morning the half-finished batter tasted so good and I was so impatient that I just poured it into a bowl, topped it with some sliced banana and cacao nibs and my new favorite smoothie (big statement but I stick by it!) was born.
Inspiration behind this whole pancake-turned-smoothie bowl was the  Blissful Brown Rice and Raw Cacao Super Protein from That Protein that I’d bought on a whim at Holland & Barrett . (For my usual breakfast smoothie I always use hemp – check out the recipe here.) The protein powder along with the peanut butter and banana make this breakfast a great source of plant protein.
Chocolate Protein Smoothie / Mousse
Makes: 1 serving
Ingredients
1 ripe banana
2 heaped tbsp (ca. 30g) brown rice and raw cacao protein powder*
1 heaped tbsp peanut butter (or other nut butter); I use the 100% one from Meridian
1 tbsp ground flaxseeds
1/3 cup brown rice milk (I use Rude Health, which has a wonderful natural sweetness)
optional: cacao nibs, to decorate; maple syrup or a different sweetener
*My blend is made up of 60% brown rice protein powder and 40% organic raw cacao, so you can easily make your own mix, using a different protein source as well if you’d like – although the taste may vary (brown rice protein is great because it’s quite neutral and doesn’t interfere with the chocolatey taste).
Method
Blend all the ingredients together (you probably don’t even need a blender if you mash the banana well), pour into a bowl and I dare you to eat this without a big smile on your face! It’s so beautifully indulgent and keeps you full and fueled for a long time. I find the ripe banana and the brown rice milk make this perfectly sweet, but you can always add a bit of maple syrup, honey or even a date if you’d like.
Variation: Chocolate Protein MousseÂ
If, like me, you are always in search of more indulgence, then this is a way to take the “dessert for breakfast” element of this smoothie bowl to the next level. By omitting the brown rice milk (or adding just enough so it all comes together) you end up with a lusciously thick and luxurious mousse that honestly tastes like dessert. No joke, this stuff is amazing. Without exaggeration, it is the most indulgent healthy breakfast I’ve ever had. Enjoy!
Feel Good Fact #1: Cacao is high in essential minerals, including magnesium and iron (did you know it has a much higher iron content per 100g than meat?) and chock-full of antioxidants, which may protect against cancer and other disease by preventing cell damage.
Feel Good Fact #2: Peanut butter is full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats (make sure you buy the most natural version possible or make your own using just peanuts) and peanuts have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
This bowl of oats embodies what whole plant-based eating is all about for me: getting to eat something scrumptious, filling and delightfully sweet, thatâs also incredibly good for you! No compromise either on health or taste â itâs a beautiful win-win situation leaving you feeling satisfied (physically and emotionally) and almost a bit smug!