Cacao & avocado shakes

It’s that time of year again when my parents avocado trees are dripping with fruit and the local markets are full of gorgeous avo’s ready for the picking. I’ve been filling my bag with them at the markets, for a very decent price, and I can’t wait for my parents visits when (hopefully) they come with arms full of them. Of course, nothing beats the simple avo on toast combination , and I can’t go past that. But when I have so many I look to other ways of including them in my diet. Smoothies are one of my favourite things and I don’t think a day goes by when I don’t have one. So it’s no wonder that the avo’s have ended up in my smoothies. They are perfect in a vibrant green smoothie, with lots of kale, mint, lemon and cucumber, adding a very welcome creamy texture.

Today I mixed it up with a very decadent shake, using the avocado to make the drink extra thick and creamy. This is the perfect breakfast treat or dessert. It’s packed with the goodness of raw cacao for that rich chocolate flavour, mesquite adds a lovely hint of caramel and is a good source of calcium & potassium as well as stabilising blood sugar levels and of course the hero avocado is high in vitamin K and healthy monounsaturated fats.

Cacao & avocado shakes 

Serves 2

Ingredients 

• 1 large frozen banana
• 1/2 large avocado
• 2 ice cubes
• 2 sprigs of mint
• 2 tbsp cacao powder
• 2 tsp mesquite powder
• 2 tsp almond butter
• 2 medjool dates, pitted
• 2.5 C unsweetend almond milk

Method

Place the banana, avocado flesh, ice, mint cacao powder, mesquite powder, medjool dates & almond milk into a high speed blender. Blend for 1 minute or until thick & creamy. Pour into 2 glasses and top with an extra sprinkle of cacao & a few cacao nibs. Drink immediately.

Gluten-free coconut kefir waffles

Ever since my sister got her very spoilt dog a waffle maker for christmas (crazy, I know). And although Ebony, the dog, loves waffles she’s not too good at cooking them. So, since then, I have been searching for the perfect waffle recipe. After many failed attempts (too crispy, too soft, doughy or dry), I have finally found a fail proof recipe that is SO delicious! The coconut kefir acts like a raising agent, with its natural bacteria, and produces fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside waffles.

These waffles have become a favourite breakfast of mine that is perfect for the weekend and mid-week too due to their simplicity. Soaking the oats overnight means all you have to do in the morning is blend and let the waffle maker do its magic!

I have been making my own coconut kefir over the last month, i simple combine kefir grains with coconut milk and sit it a room temp for around 36 hours. I then shake it up and store it in the fridge for up to 1 week. It’s also delicious with granola and in smoothies.

Coconut kefir waffles

Makes approx. 4 waffles

Ingredients

• 1/2 C raw buckwheat groats, soaked overnight
• 1/2 C hulled millet, soaked overnight
• 1 C coconut kefir (I make my own by fermenting coconut milk with kefir grains)
• 1 banana
• 1 tsp vanilla powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon

optional toppings

• Strawberries, coconut yoghurt, hemp hearts, banana & pure maple
• Banana, natural peanut butter & shaved dark chocolate
• Blueberries, cashew cream & grain free granola
• Pineapple, kiwi fruit, coconut cream & coconut nectar

Method

1. Start this recipe the night before by soaking your buckwheat and millet in a large bowl covered generously with filtered water. I always add a squeeze of lemon or apple cider vinegar too when soaking grains.
2. In the morning rinse your grains well and place in a high-speed blender with the coconut kefir, banana, vanilla and cinnamon.
3. Blend on high for 1 minute or until a completely smooth and creamy texture. Set aside for around 5 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, heat your waffle iron to the desired setting, I like to have mine of the 2nd highest function for a nice, crispy outside.
5. When heated, pour in approximately 1/3 C of the batter. Close and let the waffle maker do its thang.
6. While the waffles are cooking prepare your desired toppings.
7. If you are cooking for a crowd keep the cooked waffles, covered with a tea towel, in a 150 degrees celcius oven.
8. However, these are best served hot off the waffle maker!

Enjoy!

 

 

Heartwarming porridge

The last few days of Autumn are shining upon us which means my breakfasts have started to heat up. On the mornings when I don’t have to eat my breakfast post yoga & in the car, I enjoy beautifully creamy, warm oats with an assortment of toppings. Lately we have been getting the last of the passionfruit from my parents vines, lots of bananas at the markets and the first of my favourite golden kiwifruit. These make the most delightful topping on creamy coconut porridge.

I’ve got one more week left of this semester at University then a couple of weeks of exams.  After that, my boyfriend, my parents and I will be packing our bags and heading to Sri Lanka! I’m beyond excited and can’t wait to swim in the warm ocean, walk through some splendid tea plantations and feast on fragrant curries. We’re heading through the hill country then to the east coast. I would be forever grateful if any of you have some travel advice and must see/do places. I’m also hoping to do an Ayurveda cooking class, so any information about that would be most welcome.

Anyway here is a beautifully warming porridge recipe with a little tropical inspiration.

Creamy Coconut Porridge 

Serves 2-3

Ingredients

• 1 C rolled oats (gluten free if necessary), soaked overnight
• 1 C coconut milk
• 1 tsp vanilla powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cardamon
• 3 passionfruit, pulp scooped out
• 2 bananas, sliced lengthways
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp coconut sugar
• 1 golden kiwi fruit, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp coconut flakes, toasted
• Coconut milk, extra to serve
• Coconut syrup (the sap from the coconut palm), to serve

Method

1. Soak the oats overnight in a generous amount of water. Drain in the morning and place in a small saucepan along with the coconut milk and 1 C of filtered water.
2. Place the saucepan over very low heat and add the vanilla, cardamon and cinnamon. Bring to a low simmer and stir for 5-10 minutes or until thick and creamy.
3. While the porridge is cooking, heat the coconut oil in a small frypan. Sprinkle the sliced bananas with coconut sugar before placing cut side down in the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until golden. Flip and cook the other side for 1 minute before turning off. Set aside.
4. When the porridge is ready pour into your serving bowl and top with the caramelised bananas, passionfruit pulp, kiwi and coconut flakes. Serve with extra coconut milk and coconut syrup.

Enjoy!