So I've done really well on the diet; I haven't minded (much) just having water to drink --I don't enjoy hot beverages, so no, I don't drink tea or coffee--or skipping on the fruit, but for the last three days I haven't been able to shake my "I want some dessert!" craving. I tried eating a few squares of dark chocolate, but it didn't really help much. Sooo.... I decided to make some primal muffins!
Here's the recipe:
Coconut Muffins
4 eggs
1/2 cup coconut flour (more if batter is too runny)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp of lemon juice
1 can coconut milk (14 oz or 1.5 cups)
1/4 cup coconut oil (or KerryGold butter)
1/4 cup raw honey (optional but recommended)*
1 cup cashews
1/2 cup raisins/cranberry mix
Cinnamon
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Gather all of your dry ingredients, mix them together in a small mixing bowl. If desired ingredients can be sifted.
Melt the coconut oil (or butter) in a small bowl. Begin to add one egg at a time to the batter mixture. When all the eggs are mixed in, add the honey, lemon juice, and coconut milk to the mixture and stir. * I used just under a 1/4 cup honey
Slowly begin to add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients while stirring. When all lumps are gone, fold in the cashew/raisin-cranberry mix.
When fully blended, begin to pour the batter into your pan or muffin tray about half way full. Be sure you oil your pan or muffin tray to avoid sticking (I used an olive oil spray). At this point sprinkle the top of the batter with cinnamon.
Place in oven for 18-22 minutes. Insert a toothpick to the middle. If it comes out clean they are ready. They should be firm, yet spring back.
The only issues I had was they are a bit dense, and the fruit/nut mix sunk to the bottom. So maybe it's better to insert the mix after it's in the muffin tin?
They turned out well, but still a bit dense. Regina and the baby loved them. Veronica and Tom could take it or leave it. I enjoyed having a "grain-like experience" though I still found the coconut flour kinda odd.
But... it did not take away my dessert craving. Boo. So I drank more water, ate more salad, and had some ribs. Dessert thing? Still there.
So... I decided to Google a Primal Cheesecake. Yeah, I know, you can't eat the whole thing (dairy in moderation), but we've done really well on this way of eating, and we have earned a piece of cheesecake. So hush up!
I've never made a cheesecake before, so I don't know how the Primal version compares to the "normal" version, but it did take a while. Elizabeth and I headed to the store to make one last look for almond meal (for the crust). It took a while, but I finally found it
Man, this stuff is so much better than coconut flour! Although, I'm sure coconut flour will work better in some recipes, so I'll keep it on hand.
I couldn't find coconut crystals. I guess I'll have to order them off Amazon. So I used my agave syrup. The recipe calls for one cup of coconut crystals... what's the ratio between coconut crystals and agave syrup? I tried to Google the difference between the two on the glycemic index, but it was taking forever, and I had Elizabeth hanging off my leg. So I used 1/3 cup syrup, plus another 1/6... I think that works out to about 3.5 oz., which was incorporated into a massive cake.
It finally finished baking, and I thought it would take about an hour for it to cool down. Then I noticed in the recipe it says to keep it in the fridge all night in order to cool down. What?!?! I want it now! I waited for about 90 mins, and then I stuck my fork in it and took a bite, and it was soooo good! I then stuck it in the fridge and I cannot wait to have it for breakfast. ;) If this cake doesn't take away the dessert attack, then nothing will. I'm excited to see how it turns out once it sits over night.
The best part is that it's a huge cake. I can easily slice it, freeze, and then pull out a single slice when I really want it.
I wish could take a photo of it, but I can't take it out of the spring form pan yet. Until then, I'll leave you with the recipe. Here ya go!
What's your favorite primal-approved cheat?
Here's my blueberry muffin recipe. I make them weekly. I usually double up the recipe and freeze half. They freeze really well too.They are best with fresh blueberries so if you use frozen berries, defrost them first. They are our favorite primal dessert! Enjoy! I get almond meal at Trader Joes. http://thesummerhouse.blogspot.com/2011/03/amazing-blueberry-almond-muffins.html
ReplyDeleteI started primal the same time that your family did, a couple of days later perhaps, so your blog has helped me in keeping up. When I used to get a craving I used to look over at your posts and tell myself if a family with children can do it, me being unmarried surely can! So first off thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteI have a sweet tooth so I did a lot of experimenting to satisfy my sweet tooth the primal way. I usually used microwave to whip up all kinds of muffins using almond or coconut flout and ripe fruits and figs for the sweetness. But nothing satisfies me like this coconut kind-a pudding thing I discovered during one of my experimentation. When the craving strikes I do this -
Use half a can of coconut milk. Cut two dried figs into small pieces and put it in the milk. Simmer these together for about 10 minute till the mixture becomes a bit thicker. You will notice the sugar from figs mixes in the milk hence removing any need for additional sugar or honey. Remove from heat and put a pinch or so of cardamom powder. There will be some mushy figs left in the mixture, if you mind those (I dont) then blend this mixture when it is slightly cooled. Refrigerate it for a couple of hours. This mixture thickens further and a yummy and surprisingly sweet dessert is ready. If you give it a good whipping after refrigeration this can also be used as coconut frosting on cupcakes. I have used it on one of my microwave mango cakes that I have come to love. You don't even need to put sugar or honey in the cake since the frosting is so sweet and then there is sweetness from the mangoes.
I am not very good at giving directions for recipes so you might have to experiment a bit on the number of figs you need to put in to get your required sweetness. When it cools down it becomes sweeter, not sure why it just does :)
I make a super easy baked apple. Cut a small, cored, unpeeled apple into bite-sized pieces, put into a bowl, sprinkle with lots of cinnamon, dot generously with butter, and zap for about 4 minutes in an 800 watt microwave, more briefly if your oven is larger. Let it cool enough to not burn your tongue and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteToday I experimented with a simple chopped walnut topping. Not so good.
Make ice cream with honey or maple syrup instead of sugar.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love these chocolate chip cookies---maybe because chocolate chips are exactly primal. Here's the link: http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/2011/12/st-lucia-chocolate-chip-cookies.html. I like to add coconut flakes if I have them and pecan pieces, too.
ReplyDeleteAnother, more primal option, is chocolate coconut mousse. I use Thai brand coconut milk which works the best of the ones I've tried. Use one can and add 2 T of cocoa powder, sweeten as needed with your sweetener of choice, and blend well. 2 splenda packs works for me. Depending on how desperate you are, refrigerating it for a couple of hours helps it thicken nicely!
We are holding off on desserts until losing more weight, but we like baked custards with a bit of maple syrup on top. We can use coconut milk or a combination of almond milk and cream to make the custard. It doesn't need to be very sweet so a bit of Stevia etc. should work. Today, my husband asked : what about Creme Brulee? (one of his favorite things in the world,lol! The answer is yes since it's basically a custard only made with heavy cream. You brown a bit of sugar on the top to finish it off but it's not THAT much sugar, and should be acceptable as an occassional treat.
ReplyDelete