The Food Blog
Chocolate Pots De Creme Infused with Wild Orange (0 Comments)
This dessert brings me back to my travels in Paris, France. A dessert so creamy and heavenly it tantalizes your taste buds. Just simply delicious. Pots De Creme is basically a very elegant description of a pot filled with chocolate cream. This is an easy breezy dessert you are able to whip up in ten minutes and a blender only needed. A definite crowd pleasing dessert for all to enjoy.
SERVES: 8 to 10
INGREDIENTS:
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips, high quality is best
4 egg yolks, large and organically pasture raised
2 tsp vanilla, pure
1-2 drops wild orange essential oil, doTerra
sea salt, dash
8 ounces coffee, robust and very hot
whip cream
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a blender place the chocolate chips, egg yolks, vanilla, wild orange and sea salt together. Pulse about 6-8 times, or until the mixture is mostly pulverized.
While turning on the blender, pour the very hot freshly brewed coffee through the top in a steady stream. At this point, the coffee will melt the chocolate while cooking the eggs into a smooth fluid texture.
Once blended, you may pour the smooth chocolate into mason jars, wine glasses or any dessert style cups. Allow to let chill for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator, or until firm. When ready to serve top with whip cream. And voila! A yummy homemade treat.
Molten Chocolate Lava Cake (0 Comments)
A decadent and heavenly dessert to tantalize your taste buds.
A soft warm chocolate cake with a rich stream of chocolatey goodness on the inside ready to burst. An irresistible and sexy dessert that will make you think you’ve gone to heaven and back. This method is so simplistic that it can be whipped up in 10 minutes and need only a good bowl and whisk. I’ve been meaning to make this dessert treat and today was the day. The perfect Valentine’s Day treat for loved ones.
Chocolate is the absolute comfort food. Over numerous years, chocolate has had a bad rap due to it’s high fat content in resulting with acne outbreaks, obesity and other diseases. However, according to many studies, it is not all that bad. Chocolate does have many health benefits. But not all chocolate is the same. Today, chocolate has tremendous antioxidant potential. The higher the quality content of the cocoa, the more well being benefits it has to offer and with less sugar, which is extremely beneficial for your overall health. For instance, chocolate helps to lower cholesterol, helps with memory, reduces heart disease risk, boosts athletes’ performance, lowered risks of diabetes and heart disease and plus so much more. Always remember moderation is the key. So, with all that being said, go ahead and have that piece of chocolate.
SERVES: 4
INGREDIENTS:
4 ounces semisweet baking chocolate; high quality chocolate
1/2 cup butter; unsalted organic
1 cup powdered sugar
2 eggs, pasture raised
2 egg yolks, pasture raised
6 tbsp flour
4 ramekins
1 big bowl
1 whisk
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Grease the dessert cups generously and place them on a cookie sheet.
In a medium/large microwave safe bowl, melt the butter and chocolate together; about 1 minutes, or until butter is melted. Stir well until combined. Add the sugar and blend well. Add the eggs and egg yolks to the mixture; beat for about 1 minute. And lastly, add in the flour; stir well until combined.
Evenly spoon the batter in prepared dessert cups. Bake for about 12-13 minutes; until sides are firm but the middle is still soft. Not jiggly. Let cool for 2 minutes before loosening the cakes to invert onto the desired serving plates. Serve with whip cream and/or dusted powdered sugar. Enjoy!
Tip – Before inverting the cakes, slide a knife around the edges of the cups first.
Decadent Dark Chocolate Truffles (0 Comments)
Not only are these delicious but, super simple and a clean-eating treat to create in your own kitchen. The texture is so light and airy it just melts-in-your-mouth. The perfect Valentine’s day dessert for the one’s you love!
I don’t know anyone who does NOT enjoy chocolate. Dark chocolate has so many health benefits. This simple super food helps to improve memory, provides UV protection due to the flavonoids, anti-inflammatory properties, a mood enhancer by increasing endorphins and serotonin levels, regulates blood sugar levels and provides iron, copper, manganese, magnesium, dietary fiber and calcium. So go ahead and have some good for you dark chocolate.
SERVES: 36
INGREDIENTS:
4 ounces intense dark chocolate (86%) , Ghirardelli
4 ounces bittersweet/semisweet chocolate (60%), Ghirardelli
7 ounces sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp pure vanilla
dash, sea salt
6-8 ounces meltable chocolate
INSTRUCTIONS:
Over medium low heat, in a double broiler, heat chocolate and condensed milk until melted; meanwhile stirring consistently until it has a marshmallow texture. Stir in the vanilla.
Remove from heat and place chocolate in a glass airtight container; let chill in the refrigerator for about 2 hours.
Once chilled, either use a melon baller scoop or roll in balls with your hands. Once rolled, coat them in the meltable chocolate. I used a fork to pick up and remove the chocolate : tap on the side of the bowl with the fork to remove excess chocolate before placing onto the cookie sheet. Sprinkle with sea salt, nuts, or even shredded coconut for personalization. And voila! Homemade delicious treats for you and the one’s you love. Enjoy.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE: calories 50; total fat 2.4g; cholesterol 3mg; sodium 18mg; potassium 44mg; total carbohydrates 6.9g; sugars 6g; calcium 2% and iron 1%. This is low in cholesterol and sodium type of treat.
Coconut Banana Infused Pudding (non-dairy and vegan) (0 Comments)
A pudding so light as air, smooth and creamy like an avocado and the rich taste and texture of the coconut. And the good for you banana mixed in to enhance the flavor profile. A clean-eating snack without the guilt. A tasty treat that is super simple to create in your kitchen.
Coconut milk has so many benefits for your overall health. Not only is it easily digestible but, contains an abundance of nutrients. For beauty benefits it creates a smoother texture for your skin, helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, soothes the common sunburn, a lovely hair conditioner and make-up remover. For the remover combine 2 parts of olive oil and 1 part coconut oil and gently mix and place on the skin surface. A wonderful healthy alternative to most commercial types. Now, as far as health benefits, coconut milk helps to calm the nerves, maintains healthy bone structure due to high levels of phosphorus, fights virus and infections due to being highly anti-bacterial, regulates blood sugar levels, lowers cholesterol and relieves arthritis with the selenium content in this wonderful item. In food, it is so versatile from smoothies to baked goods and cooking with certain meats. I enjoy using it in my coffee as a creamer. Adds great flavor and a creaminess to the consistency. And, if you are lactose intolerant it’s a great alternative.
SERVES: 6
INGREDIENTS:
1 banana, whole and ripe
1/4 sweetener, brown sugar or pure maple
1/3 cup corn starch
1/2 tsp sea salt
3 cups coconut milk, non-GMO verified
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a food processor, place sliced banana with 2 tbsp coconut milk and puree; until smooth. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan, on medium heat, whisk together the sugar, corn starch and sea salt. Slowly add in the milk, while stirring constantly, bring to a slow boil on medium heat. Once boiled, lower to a simmer and keep stirring for about 6-8 minutes, or until reduced and thickened. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.
Cover with plastic wrap in a bowl or pie shell and place in the refrigerator overnight to chill. You may garnish with fresh fruit, wafers and/or whip cream.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE: calories 320; total fat 28g; sodium 57mg; potassium 386mg; total carbohydrates19g; dietary fiber 3.2g; sugars 6g; protein 3g; calcium 2%; vitamin C 8% and iron 11%. This is a no cholesterol, very low in sodium and high in manganese type of treat.
Power Smoothie (0 Comments)
This power smoothie is not only yummy but, packed full of key nutrients. It’s low in sodium, high in dietary fiber and manganese, plus very high in vitamin A, C and B6. As far as greens go I tend to mix it up every now and then. This time I utilized kale due to it’s excellent source of powerful benefits for overall health. Kale is widely available throughout most of the year and fairly economical in the organic section, too. If your not a big fan of kale you may really enjoy mixed up in your customized smoothie drink. A great way to incorporate more green in your natural healthy diet. Try them, try them, you may like them!
Kale contains powerful antioxidants that may help to prevent against certain cancers such as ovarian cancer, due to it’s cleansing properties. This beautiful green contains high levels of beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C, lutein, zeaxanthin, fiber and calcium. An array of many benefits. Did you know, when the leaves are chopped, blended or chewed it releases a powerful anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and anti-microbial properties. While kale promotes healthy lungs, cardiovascular, boosting the immune system, it gives you radiant skin health and a glowing appearance due to a balance of omega 3’s and 6’s. Although kale has numerous health benefits, it does have a dark side when consuming in excess amounts. It’s best to mix up your greens and always in moderation with most items. The best way to decrease the amount of toxins like kale is to pick the dinosaur style, cooking it and throwing out the water, adding grass fed butter to optimize the key nutrients in kale. And a very good idea to add calcium along with magnesium, to your blender with kale.
SERVES: 2
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup almond milk, or preferred type is fine
1-2 small bananas
1/2 cup kale, organically grown
1/2 cup yogurt, certified or USDA organic style
2-3 tbsp flax seed meal
1/4 tsp ginger, ground or fresh (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Combine all ingredients in a blender, or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. You may add ice if you prefer.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE: calories 215; total fat 2.2g; cholesterol 7mg; sodium 40mg; potassium 582mg; total carbohydrates 40.6g; dietary fiber 5.2g; sugars 15g; protein 5.6g; vitamin A 50%; vitamin C 54% and Iron 14%.
Cream of Broccoli Mushroom Soup (0 Comments)
A delicious, creamy, hearty and detoxifying soup that will warm up the soul on a cold winters day. An easy to prepare recipe to create in your kitchen. This soup will help to boost the immune system, aid in healthy digestion and has cancer fighting properties.
Broccoli has a prominent, positive impact in reducing most toxins in our system that pose a risk on a cellular level. When consuming more of this simple super food, it creates a balance in our bodies of lightness and able to cope with things on positive side. This nutrient rich ingredient contains high amounts of protein, calcium, Iron and magnesium. Also, boasts a substantial amount of vitamin A and C. Did you know, broccoli may relieve asthma symptoms? The chemical found in broccoli, Sulforaphane, increases the enzymes of the upper respiratory tract. Therefore, neutralizing harmful toxins we breathe in on a daily basis. Not only does it help with asthma, but protects against tissue damage in diabetes, has a great source of fiber and B vitamins, and may help to stop replication of colon cancer cells. Chlorophyll known in this bright green vegetable helps to alkalize the body of any abnormal cells in the system. I believe there is no reason to not incorporate this nutrient dense item for overall health.
SERVES: 4-6
INGREDIENTS:
2-3 tbsp olive oil, cold pressed
3 garlic cloves, peeled, smashed and sliced
1 onion, white, peeled and chopped
1-2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 cup mushrooms, any kind, sliced
5 cups vegetable stock, organic, low sodium
sea salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
3 cups broccoli, fresh
handful basil, fresh
1/3 cup half and half, organic and pasture raised (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a large sauce pot, combine olive oil, garlic and onion, until tender, on medium heat. Add in the potatoes and mushrooms to the mix and let simmer; about 6-8 minutes. Then add in the vegetable stock, broccoli and basil; let simmer until broccoli is tender.
Remove pot off the the heat. In batches, puree the mixture until smooth. Return the mixture to the pot and simmer to keep at warm temperature. Just before serving, add the cream in and stir until blended.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE: calories 182, total fat 9.7g; cholesterol 7mg; sodium 240mg; potassium 680mg; total carbohydrates 21g; dietary fiber 4.7g; sugars 6g; protein 5.5g; vitamin A 10%; calcium 9%; vitamin C122% and Iron 33%.