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?
