I have been meaning to share this recipe for awhile. I LOVE this recipe. I usually make it once a month and yes, it's right around the start of my moon time. It's full of healthy ingredients and it's just plan DELICIOUS! There is not guilt when I eat this snack. Well, I'm trying to get rid of that guilt with anything I eat, but that's a different blog post.
I usually make this in my blender. I have a high speed blender so it works pretty well, but I have overheated the motor, so my suggestion is to blend slow. Also note, that if your blender does start to warm up, your "dough" will be warm and if you add in the chocolate chips too soon, they will melt. I've done that too. If you have a food processor, I'd recommend to use that instead. Below you will see the ingredients and their health benefits.
Chick peas (garbanzo beans): Just for a chuckle, we call these butt cheek beans in our house! HA!HA! Ok, now to the serious stuff...chick peas are phytoestrogens, specifically isoflavones, which studies have shown reduce symptoms of menopause. They are a great source of iron (1/2 c. contains 2.4 mg) and a good source of fiber (1/2 c. contains 6.3 g - our goal each day is 35 g for men and 25 g for women).
Nut/seed butter: I typically use almond butter when I make this because it's what I always have on hand. You can use any other nut or seed butter, such as sunflower seed butter or cashew butter. Nut and seed butters are a great source of healthy fat and protein. Note: make sure to check the ingredients list and get butter without any additional oils or sugar.
Maple syrup: Pure maple syrup, not talking about Hungry Jack or Aunt Jemima here (which is just high fructose corn syrup), contains calcium, magnesium, and potassium. This is a good alterative to sugar and other sweeteners in moderation.
Dark Chocolate: Yes! Dark chocolate has health benefits! You want to aim for at least 70% cocoa powder and less than 5% sugar. I have a long list of benefits for dark chocolate:
Excellent source of soluble fiber, phytonutrients, essential minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, selenium, and zinc.
Is an antioxidant.
Contains flavanols which stimulate the production of nitric oxide in our blood improving blood flow and blood pressure. Chocolate consumption associated with lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
Caffeine and theobromine in chocolate help improve cognitive function.
Consuming small amounts (1 oz) of dark chocolate regularly lower cortisol (the stress hormone).
Optional substitute for chocolate chips is to use Cacao powder: the last time I made this recipe - last week - I made it without the chocolate chips and stirred in 1 T. of cacao powder instead. Cacao is the raw chocolate powder that has been minimally processed so it retains much more of the natural nutrients. It use it 1:1 as a replacement for cocoa powder.
Recipe
2 c. (1 can of chickpeas/garbanzo beans) drained and rinsed
1/2 c. nut butter
1/4 c. pure maple syrup
1 t. vanilla extract
1/2 c. dark chocolate chips
Blend all the ingredients together, except the chocolate chips, in a food processor or blender. Transfer to a mixing bowl and stir in the chocolate chips (see my note above about substituting cacao powder for the chips). Spoon into dishes and enjoy! Serves 4. Store in the refrigerator in a covered bowl for up to 4 days.
Click on the file link below to download the printable .pdf.