While I don't crave sweets all that much there is something about chocolate which will always call my name. Perhaps it is that I am (despite my gamine persona) a woman and supposedly all women are addicted to chocolate or perhaps it is that my mother raised me to believe that a hand full of chocolate chips could cure all that ails you; who knows. What ever the case may be, every now and again I crave that luscious, smooth, chocolatey flavor and up until a week ago I was unable to find a cure for my craving.
ENTER RAW CHOCOLATE
Drew and I had just landed back in LA from traveling and we needed a few things from the grocery store. It was late and we were famished! While waiting in line for a juice (bc we are that 'LA') I spotted these raw chocolate balls (insert giggle here). They were amazing AND low enough in sugar for my defective insides to process (actually they were made with coconut nectar... sooooo). Needless to say, these little balls of bliss changed my candida-fied life. Obviously, they were copiously expensive (as these things are) and so I became determined to recreate their magic from the confines of my kitchen...
-RAW COCONUT CHOCOLATE BAR-
What you will need:
3/4 cup raw (large flake) coconut OR 1/2 cup coconut mana
1/2 cup raw cacoa powder
2-3 tbsp raw honey (sweetened to taste, you could also use coconut nectar)
2 tbsp raw (cold pressed) coconut oil
*sea salt, finely shredded coconut or chopped nuts to top* optional
Place your coconut flakes into a vitamix or food processor and run until a paste is formed. Combine all of your ingredients in a medium sized bowl, stirring until a smooth texture is formed. Spread the chocolate in a 1/4 inch thick layer upon parchment paper (works best if you have a plate or other smooth surface under the chocolate). Sprinkle with shredded coconut, nuts or a little sea salt (sparingly) over the top. Chill for 1 hour in the refrigerator OR if you are like me and have no patients, place in the freezer for 15 minutes (until hardened).
Prepare to have your minds BLOWN.
I feel like Willy Wonka, bringing happiness to the masses through chocolate rivers. You are welcome. Now if only I could find a couple of Umpa-Lumpas... too far?
If you are craving anything you 'can't' eat, let me know! I would love to help you find your cure.
xx
