Using Raw Cacao Powder & Yummy choc recipes!

Who likes chocolate? I sure know I do. Did you know you could use Raw organic Cacao powder in your home to make delicious drinks, treats and snacks and they are actually good for you? I'm not talking about Cocoa in it's processed form, I'm taking about the raw powder made from splitting the beans into cacao nibs or grinding to a powder.

The benefits to keeping the cacao unprocessed in it's raw form is it contains a much higher level of antioxidants, the preservation of Omega 6, Vitamin C, Phenethylamine (PEA), tryptophan and serotonin. These are all important for not only slowing down the ageing process but also for our mental health as PEA and serotonin play a big part in stabilising of our moods.

Raw Cacao powder contains the following nutrients:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B (1, 2, 3, 5 and 6)
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Magnesium (highest known whole food source)
• Copper
• Calcium
• Manganese
• Zinc
• Sulphur
• Iron
• Chromium
• Phosphorus
• Omega 6 Fatty Acids
• Amino Acids
• Carbohydrates
• Soluble Fiber
• Enzymes and many other Phytonutrients

So now you know the truth to that old question: Is Chocolate good for you? Chocolate, not necessarily. Raw Cacao, YES!

You already know one of my best recipes incorporating the raw cacao powder, CHOC GOODNESS BALLS RECIPE HERE, but below are another two that will also rock your chocaholic world!

CHOC BANANA DAIRY-FREE ICE-CREAM

 

Roughly chop 2-3 ripe bananas and place into freezer in a zip-lock bag. Leave until frozen through then process down in your Thermomix or Food processor until it resembles icy, mush banana. Add your sweetener (agave syrup is best, but honey will work) to taste and add approx 2 tbsp of Organic Raw Cacao powder. Process until it comes together as a smooth creamy looking chocolate ice-cream. It is very much banana flavoured but tastes amazing considering it's very simple, healthy ingredients.

 

CHOC BANANA SMOOTHIE

 

You can start with fresh, ripe bananas or by using the Ice-cream recipe above for a colder smoothie. Once again add 2-3 ripe bananas (over-ripe is good too) to your sweetener and Cacao and simply add your own milk (whether that is soy, dairy, almond, rice, etc). Use your Thermomix or Blender for this as your will need something that holds a larger quantity.

 

This smoothie is so delicious but healthy enough for breakfast, a snack or a yummy dessert. I started off with this for breakfast today and it put me in a good mood all morning!

 

You can also use your Raw organic Cacao powder to make a delicious Hot Chocolate but beware that it can taste quite powdery compared to your standard cocoa if not mixed well so if you are not using your Thermomix then I recommend using a pot on the stove-top and blending afterwards.

 

THERMOMIX SUGAR FREE HOT CHOCOLATE

 

30g organic raw cacao powder

50g agave syrup (or honey)

5 drops Stevia (or 10g more agave/honey)

500mls Milk

 

Place all into TM bowl on 80 deg for 7 mins on Speed 4.

Pour 2/3 into mug and fill with cold milk.

 

 

 

Let me know if you decide to give the raw cacao powder a try. I'd like to know your opinion on it. Don't forget you can use it in all your baking where you would normally use cocoa!