Thursday, December 13, 2012

Protein Bar Cookies

 
Packed with protein, Omega-3 and 6, fiber and anti-inflammatory spices, these cookies are also low-glycemic, dairy-free, gluten-free, egg-free and contain no cholesterol or trans-fats. Perfect for a 3 o'clock snack!
 
Ingredients
 
1 tbsp ground flax seeds
30 ml water
½ cup flaxseed oil
½ cup organic raw blue agave nectar
2 tbsp organic coconut milk
½ cup buckwheat flour
½ cup quinoa flour
½ cup chickpea (garbanzo bean) flour
½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cardamom
½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp baking soda (alum-free)
2 cups gluten free oats
1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
½ cup Enjoy Life dark chocolate, roughly chopped
 
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.  Combine flax with water and allow to stand 5-10 minutes to thicken.Mix oil and agave in a large mixing bowl.  Add flax mixture and coconut milk. Beat well. Stir together flours, spices, salt and baking soda. Add dry mixture to wet, blending well. Add oats, walnuts and chocolate. Chill ½ hour for easier handling. Roll into 2-3” cookies and space 1.5” apart on cookie sheets. Bake 12-15 minutes or until just done. Cool on wire rack. Makes 18
 
Nutrition facts (per cookie):  
Calories: 262, Fat: 16 g, Sat. Fat: 4 g, Sodium: 100 mg,  Carbohydrates: 27 g, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 11 g, Protein: 5 g, Omega-3: 4g, Omega-6: 3 g
 


Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Gelato al Mascarpone Affogato


In celebration of the first day of spring, in which actually feels like the first day of summer, I wanted to make a frozen variation of my favorite dessert, tiramisu! Rich mascarpone gelato is dusted with cocoa powder then a shot of espresso poured over top and served with Savoiardi.

Ingredients

1 cup 35% cream
1 cup whole milk
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 vanilla bean, slit lengthwise and seeds
500 gr. mascarpone
Cocoa Powder
Espresso
Savoiardi

To make the gelato, Scrape seeds from vanilla bean and add along with bean to cream in a saucepan. Bring cream to boil, then heat to low and allow vanilla to infuse for 5 minutes.
Discard bean. In meantime, beat egg yolks with sugar with wire wisk until sugar is dissolved.
Whisk in milk. Pour half cream mixture into egg mixture to temper eggs, then pour egg mixture back in saucepan with cream and heat at medium low for 5-6 minutes, or until thick enough to coat the back of wooden spoon. Do not allow mixture to boil.
Strain in fine sieve in bowl and put in water bath for about 1/2 hour, stiring occasionally.
When custard is cooled, cover with plastic wrap pressing on top of so to prevent skin from developping.
Chill in refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Combine custard with mascarpone with wire wisk until homogeneous.
Pour in ice cream machine and follow directions.
Freeze for at least 3 hours before serving.

Put one or two scoops of gelato in serving bowl. You will need to allow gelato to set at room temperature for about 10 minutes before scooping as it is very dense. Dust with cocoa powder and pour over a shot of hot espresso. Serve with one or two Savoiardi.