October 02, 2018

Chocolate hummus

October 02, 2018/ Rebecca Davis

I struggled with calling this recipe “hummus.” The only thing it has in common with actual hummus is chickpeas, but I wanted it to be clear that this spread is the same stuff you buy in the grocery store.

Even though it’s not really hummus, this spread is REALLY good. It’s a little sweet and very chocolate-y.

I started making my own chocolate hummus after being introduced to this magical concoction (seriously, how did I not know that chocolate hummus existed until about 2 months ago?) at my book club.

A couple of notes:
- Soak 4 dates, though you may not need them all. This dip tends to get sweeter as it sits in the fridge, so be careful about adding all four dates up front.
- If the dip doesn’t taste sweet enough after two dates, try adding another pinch of salt. The salt really brings out the sweetness and the chocolate, so you may not need additional sweetener.

Chocolate hummus

Time: about 20 minutes, all active
Yield:1.5 cups or about 14.5 ounces

1 can chick peas, rinsed and drained |
¼ cup cocoa powder
½ cup maple syrup
2-4 dates, soaked in boiling water for 5-10 minutes
¼ tsp salt, plus more to taste
½ tsp vanilla extract

Boil some water and pour over 4 dates. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.

Meanwhile, thoroughly rinse your chickpeas and dry them lightly with a dishtowel or paper towel. Add to a food processor.

Measure the other ingredients and add to the food processor. When the dates are soft, add 3 to the other ingredients and blend until very smooth, about 3-4 minutes.

Serve or store in an air-tight container in the fridge.

June 11, 2018

No-bake granola bars

June 11, 2018/ Rebecca Davis

Guys. I have tried and tried to make actually good, lower sugar, school-safe granola bars. I succeeded with these bars, but they're a bit more effort than I'm willing to expend when I suddenly realize on a week night that we don't have anything for snack or lunch boxes the next day. These granola cups are super easy, but we're entering that sweltering season where turning on the oven is basically just opening the gates of hell.

Instead we have these no-bake granola bars that are super quick and easy (and cool) to prepare, are lower in sugar than store bought bars, are free of dairy, nuts, gluten, and eggs AND are absolutely freaking delicious.

I've tried a couple of no-bake granola bar recipes via Pinterest that left me wanting. Some recommended using quick oats, which got lost in the honey and nut butter mixture. Some also suggested rice cereals that lost their crunch when mixed with the other ingredients.

Many of them also call for dates, which I tried in these bars too. Here's the thing: If you use enough dates, they do help the bars stick together when they heat up. But, your bars taste primarily like dates, which I didn't want for this recipe. So, just beware that these bars are ever-so-slightly crumbly when they heat up.

A couple of notes:
- The texture of these bars can change based on a few factors: First, nut butters separate, especially in the heat, so the thoroughness of your mixing can change the texture of these bars. Try your best to mix vigorously so that your nut butter isn't too thin or too thick.
- You should be able to form the mixture into a ball that stays together and doesn't stick to your fingers. If the mixture is too crumbly, add one Tbsp of nut butter at a time and mix again to see if the grains come together. If the mixture is too sticky, try adding 1 Tbsp of oats at a time until you have a better consistency.
- Give the dry ingredients a good stir before adding in the wet ingredients. The mixing of the wet and dry ingredients can require some elbow grease, but is easier if you've already distributed the grains and cinnamon.
- To make these bars school safe, use sunflower seed butter. If you don't have nut or peanut restrictions, peanut and almond butter are perfectly great substitutes.
- If you can't find or don't want to use the chocolate-covered sunflower seeds, any old chocolate chips or carob chips (we're particularly fond of these non-dairy chocolate chips), will do.
- Millet is a slightly more exotic ingredient, but it's available at Whole Foods or health stores and really helps these bars to have some crunch. Millet is also gluten free and has a ton of health benefits.

Actually good, no-bake granola bars

1¾ cups rolled oats (not quick oats or steel cut)
½ cup millet
1 tsp cinnamon
¾ cup sunflower seed butter
¼ cup honey
½ cup chocolate covered sunflower seeds or chocolate chips
Optional: a pinch of salt

Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl and give them a stir.

Add the sunflower seed butter and the honey and stir to combine. You can zap these ingredients in the microwave to loosen them up a bit first, but I find that a little elbow grease and some wet hands do the trick.

Add the chocolate covered sunflower seeds or chocolate chips and stir again just until they’re incorporated.

Dump the mixture out into a parchment-lined brownie pan (I like 8x8 best for the size of the bars it produces, but 9x9 or larger will also work with thinner results).

Freeze for 20 minutes. Remove the bars and cut them into 16-24 portions. Store in the fridge.

Yield: 16-24 bars

October 26, 2017

Pumpkin energy bites

October 26, 2017/ Rebecca Davis

I refuse to call these "Pumpkin spice" energy balls because I am now and have always been, anti pumpkin spice. I understand it in theory, but the ubiquity of this spice combo is out of control. However, these guys are technically speaking, a combo of pumpkin and spices. They're also yummy and easy and perfect for lunchboxes because they're nut, dairy, soy, gluten, and egg free.

Also, they're basically no cook. You must toast the pepitas in either a toaster oven, regular oven, or in a pan on the stove because the flavor is so much better, but this step only takes about 5 minutes. You want some browning and some "popping" sounds, which happens quickly.

I fiddled with the ratios here for some time before settling on my favorite. Too much pumpkin and they're too wet, but not enough and they don't look orange and mostly taste like dates. The final product is a bit sticky, but they hold together completely and, once chilled, firm up quite a bit. You could also roll the balls in unsweetened shredded coconut to make them less sticky for kids who don't like that sensation on their fingers.

Pumpkin energy bites

½ cup toasted pepitas
½ cup pumpkin puree
10 pitted dates
¼ cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
½ tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp ginger
Pinch of cloves
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup vegan chocolate chips (I like this brand)

Toast the pepitas in the toaster oven or in a pan on the stove just until the seeds start to brown and pop lightly.

Add the seeds and the rest of the ingredients (except the chocolate chips) to a food processor. Pulse until the dates and seeds are broken up and everything is well combined. You'll need to scrape the sides of the bowl a few times. I like to look for the mixture to form a large ball and spin around all together to know that I've mixed enough.

Turn the batter out into a bowl. Add the chocolate chips and stir to combine.

With wet hands and a bowl of water to re-wet as needed, scoop 1 Tbsp of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Repeat with the rest of the batter until 12 balls are formed. To make them look more like pumpkins, chop up your favorite dairy, soy, and nut free chocolate bar (like this one) into chunks and stick them into the tops like stems.

Chill for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 weeks.

Yield: 12 1 Tbsp balls

Me & The Moose

Me & The Moose

Elevated family food

Me & The Moose

Chocolate hummus

Chocolate hummus

No-bake granola bars

Actually good, no-bake granola bars

Pumpkin energy bites

Pumpkin energy bites

Me & The Moose