March 21, 2010

 

Breakfast
Buckwheat Coco Puffs

4 servings ~ $.73 per serving

ingredients

1 cup buckwheat groats, soaked ($.75)
2 ripe bananas ($.30)
3 tbsp coco or cacao powder ($.15)
1/2 tsp vanilla ($.10)
1/2 tsp salt

Have you ever wondered what a full day of chocolate would look like? It seems so decadent and surely is nutritionally deficient, right? Not really, it turns out. These are reposts of my favorite chocolate recipes and are in keeping with the cacao nib giveaway below. In the macronutrient count, this menu isn’t greatly different from any other I’ve done. It’s actually lower in fat that many of them. So yeah, get your cacao on 🙂 (I used cocoa powder for many of these recipes, which is about $.05 per tablespoon, but even the best raw cacao powder is only about $.20 per tablespoon).

Rinse one cup buckwheat groats and then soak in about two cups water for 5-6 hours or overnight. Rinse the buckwheat groats well. There will be a gooey or gelatinous coating on the groats and and they will need to be rinsed several times. Once rinsed, drain well and pat with a towel to remove most of the water.

In a food processor with the S blade, add the banana, cocoa or cacao powder, vanilla and salt. Process for a minute or two until very creamy. Fold into the buckwheat groats. Then spread the mixture in clusters about 1/4 inch thick on the teflex or plastic sheets in a dehydrator. Dehydrate for about 4 hours, then turn over and dehydrate for another 2-3 hours, until the clusters are dry but pliable. They don’t seem to get brittle dry, but stay a little bit pliable. Break up into smaller clumps. These can then be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Serve with 1/2 cup almond milk ($.40).


calories: 333
fat: 10 gr
carbs: 50 gr
protein: 7 gr
Lunch
Soft Serve Chocolate Ice Cream
makes one large serving ~ $.95 per serving
ingredients
2 bananas, frozen ($.20)
1 cup nut milk ($.40)
2 tbsp powdered rawcocao (or cocoa powder) ($.20)
1/2 tsp vanilla ($.15)
1/2 tsp salt

Break frozen bananas into pieces. Puree until smooth in blender with the nut milk, cacao powder, vanilla and salt. This will have the consistency of a very thick chocolate shake or pretty loose soft serve ice cream. Pop into the freezer for an hour or so to firm up, if desired.

calories: 320
fat: 10 gr
carbs: 54 gr
protein: 4 gr

Dinner
Chocolate Spaghetti

1 serving ~ .$40 per serving

ingredients

1 banana ($.15)
1 tablespoon olive oil ($.10)
1 tablespoon agave ($.10)
1 teaspoon cacao or cocoa powder ($.05)

My three year old granddaughter, Alexandria, requested “chocolate spaghetti” for breakfast. Being the grandma, I had to say yes. It’s probably quite a bit too sweet for regular consumption, but worked perfectly for us as a fun and fanciful treat.

For each serving, grate or slice one banana. If slicing, make long thin strips that look like noodles. I used the food processor with the grating plate. Less ripe works better in this case. A very ripe banana would be too mushy.

In a small cup, whisk together the oil, agave, and cacao or cocoa powder. Arrange the (sticky!) banana noodles on a plate and top with the chocolate sauce. Sprinkle with a few crushed walnuts.


calories: 304
fat: 14 gr
carbs: 48 gr
protein: 1 gr

Dessert
Triple Chocolate
serves 4 ~ $.96 per serving
ingredients
brownie bits
1/3 cup walnuts ($.50)
1/3 cup raisins ($.50)
2 tablespoons cocoa or cacao powder ($.20)
pinch salt
chocolate chunks
2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted ($.20)
2 tablespoons agave ($.10)
1 tablespoon cocoa or cacao powder ($.10)
ice cream
6 bananas, sliced and frozen ($1.20)
1 cup almond milk ($.40)
1 teaspoon vanilla ($.20)
3 tablespoons cacao or cocoa powder ($.30)
pinch salt
This isn’t quite as complicated as it seems, and boy does it hit the chocolate spot. 
Make the ice cream first. In a blender, puree all the ice cream ingredients until smooth and creamy. This will be like soft serve ice cream and is wonderful as is, but for this recipe pour into a container and freeze, stirring every 20 minutes or so until stiff. This can also be processed in an ice cream maker.
Make the brownie bits in the food processor, using the “S” blade. Process all the brownie bit ingredients until the mix starts sticking and clumping and can be pressed into a ball. Spread out on wax paper, about 1/4 inch thick, and refrigerate for at least a half hour to harden.
For the chocolate chunks, stir together all the chocolate chunk ingredients until smooth and creamy and well incorporated. Spread out on wax paper and refrigerate until hard.
To assemble, just break the brownie into bits and the chocolate into chunks and stir into the chocolate ice cream.
Store any leftovers in a covered container in the freezer and allow to soften slightly before serving.
calories: 404
fat: 16 gr
carbs: 73 gr
protein: 5 gr
Total cost for the day: $3.04
total calories: 1361
total fat: 50 gr

total carb: 225 gr
total protein: 17 gr

Giveaway Winner!
The winner of the Cuisinart Blender is … (drum roll please)
Kelli from over at her animal friendly eating blog!!!
 Yay, Kelli! Shoot me a message and we’ll get the shipping details arranged!

and now …
Raw Cacao Nibs Giveaway

The folks over at snubbr.com are sponsoring this giveaway for some yummy raw cacao nibs. Snubbr.com is an online answer service, kind of like is Yahoo Answers but for shopping advice. “If you’re looking to buy a new cookbook or blender, you can just ask the experts at snubbr.com, and we’ll search the entire web for the ideal product for you, saving you time and stress.”
To enter, just leave a comment below. It doesn’t have to be about chocolate, but I’d love to hear what some of your favorite raw chocolate treats are!
For extra entries:
  • Follow @snubbr on Twitter
  •  Tweet this giveaway (but not more than once a day)
  • Follow my blog on Google Friend Connect
Deadline is next Sunday, March 28, at 10 pm.

59 Responses

  1. Aimee says:

    I would Love some raw cacao! By the way, I made the cheezcake you had back around Valentine's Day. I was the best raw cheezcake I've ever made, and my kids loved it. I put it in a 7" springform, and there was enough for 8 slices. The chocolate crust was divine.

    How goes the ebook 🙂

  2. awesome aimee, so glad the cheezcake turned out well! … the ebook goes fine, but had a small glitch with the pdf formatting … getting it right now …

  3. Sam Ahern says:

    This post is full of such delicious chocolate recipes! Will definitely give them a try (esp. the last one, extra chocolatey)! I too would LOVE some caocao! I just started reading your blog and it's proving to be a great resource! Thank you!

  4. Anonymous says:

    I love cacao nibs mixed in trail mix.

  5. Lady Q says:

    i love cacao covered peanuts. that was my first experience with raw chocolate and it was amazing. In the future I will be trying many of your recipes and I am definitely looking forward to this giveaway… ah chocolate cake, brownines, …the possibilities are endless

  6. Mickie Gibbs says:

    Love the all chocolate day! I will definitely be ordering some buckwheat groats.

  7. Melinda says:

    I'm really fond of a chocolate cherry smoothie, recipe in Matthew Kenney's Everyday Raw. Thanks for the opportunity to get some nibs! I enjoy your blog.

  8. I enjoy your blog so much. I'm still learning about eating raw and am fascinated by your creativity. Your photos are awesome, too! I've never tried raw chocolate, except in some of the raw "candy" bars at the health food store.

  9. kelseycliche says:

    Yum, chocolate! Thank you for all the recipes. I love making banana "ice cream". It's my favorite dessert. :]

  10. AnnieC says:

    I love your blog! My favorite chocolate dessert is raw chocolate "mousse", which everyone in my house enjoys.

  11. bitt of raw says:

    A chocolate DAY! Oh I've had those before. 🙂 But not so artfully crafted as this.

    I would like to enter. Because I need a steady stream of cacao around here.

    Thank you for this opportunity.

  12. I LOVE anything with cacao in it !!! my latest addiction has been ice cream with almond milk,banana,and cacao and raw agave..I love making everything myself !! and I don't feel the "guilt" like I used to when I ate store bought processed "stuff"…I know when I eat MY ice cream version I am doing my body good!!! Oh and almond milk with cacao in it !! AWESOME!! Found your blog thru raw food rehab and WOW what a WONDRFUL blog!!! Raw on a budget can actually be done !! Thank you so VERY much for your blog!!! I am new to RAW and am so inspired!!

  13. Kelsey says:

    i looooove chocolate! my friends and family think i'm so weird because i love the 100% stuff :]

  14. Kelsey says:

    following via google connect!!

  15. amy says:

    I'm making the buckwheat coco puffs today!! (I actually am skipping school, this is a far greater thing to accomplish). What should the heat setting be on the dehydrator though?

  16. amy, i just set mine at about the 105 – 110 mark … but it really doesn't matter as long as it's under 120 …

  17. Anonymous says:

    Love your blog! Thanks for giving costs and nutritional info. I'm a big fan of a day full of chocolate- we need our antioxidants right?! 🙂

  18. Oceangoddess says:

    Oh, I have buckwheat groats just waiting for a reason to be used! Thanks! My favorite chocolate recipe is probably hemp balls — easy peasey and fast to make so when the chocolate craving comes, I can whip something up pretty fast. 🙂
    Kimberly

  19. Lena says:

    YUMM i would love to have some of this..i love chocolate!!! My favorite chocolate of course is in the form of zucchini brownies yumm!

  20. Lena says:

    im following snubbr

    @blissfulbellas

  21. Lena says:

    im following snubbr

    @blissfulbellas

  22. Lena says:

    i tweeted! @blissfulbellas

  23. Ashlei says:

    I definitely need to make those buckwheat cocoa puffs. I've tried the kaia foods ones and they're so good, but definitely a little more pricey than homemade 😉

  24. Ashlei says:

    Following @snubbr on twitter @the_vegster

  25. Janet Perez says:

    I love putting a tsp of cocoa in a cup of almond milk and making a hot cocoa. It's delicious! I would love to win the cocao nibs, been dying to try them!

  26. following via google friend connect
    zatalie@gmail.com

  27. a.m.c. says:

    chocolate is probably the BEST smoothie ingredient ever invented! also, i love to end my day with a little bit of dark chocolate as a treat… i'm actually having a hard time thinking of a recent day that i DIDN'T east any chocolate!

  28. StarFlower says:

    Am thankful for your wonderful recipes. And happy that I am not the only one that eats a whole day of chocolate…occasionally.
    Havent tried the nibs yet, been satisfied with the butter and powder. Would be awesome to win.

  29. Schmitty says:

    i'd love to win some raw cacao nibs! My current favorite chocolatey treat is the Love Street Living Foods Chocolate/Coconut Spread! Dip your fruits in it and you will love it too 😀

  30. Patty says:

    I totally love your $10 a day blog it's such a perfect idea, thanks for posting!

  31. Jena says:

    I've been wanting to try raw nibs for the longest time!!!

    Hmm… haven't had any real raw chocolate treats, but do Chocolate Coconut Lara bars count? Because they're pretty darn delish. 🙂

  32. Amanda Jane says:

    Raw truffles are the best! 😀 Would love to win some nibs! 😀

    Email: ama.saint@gmail.com

  33. shannonmarie says:

    A day full of chocolate. I love it. I put it is my smoothies, puddings and n'ice creams, like that yummy one you have there. I even like to use it in savory dishes like raw chili. Mmmm!

    Oh I almost forgot about raw cupcakes 🙂

  34. HiHoRosie says:

    Congrats to Kelli on the win! 🙂

    And that triple chocolate ice cream looks fab! I'd want it for all meals and snacks of the day! 🙂

  35. Anonymous says:

    I just love your blog, you help so many people understand how easy this lifestyle is in a way that is easy for the average person to understand. BRAVO! When I first went raw I ate raw chocolate mouse every day for 2 weeks until my sweet tooth curbed itself, so its nice to know that chocolate is my friend! LOVE the recipes, can't wait to make the ice cream for friends tomorrow and the buckwheat crispies for breakfast tomorrow! Thanks for all the great ideas!!!

  36. Tess says:

    I love that this post even had dessert! Triple Chocolate! Right now I'm enjoying a chocolate peanut butter banana frosty 🙂

  37. Ashlei says:

    Made your buckwheat crispies and I'm so in love with them!!

    http://thevegster.wordpress.com/2010/03/23/grawnola-and-overnight-oiaj/

  38. sunygrrl says:

    I am loving your blog and tried a carrot soup you posted awhile ago. I will be eating that for lunch. The all chocolate day looks fun and I think my girls (2,4 and 7) would love the "spaghetti"!

  39. Anonymous says:

    I am so happy I found your blog especially since I'm among the recently unemployed. Winning the nibs would definitely help make my life a litter sweeter.

  40. Anonymous says:

    I follow @snubbr on Twitter.

  41. Anonymous says:

    I tweeted about the giveaway. http://twitter.com/lian0503/status/10991022020

  42. Anonymous says:

    I follow your blog on Google Friend Connect.

  43. Lisa says:

    Wow, you're an amazing food lover. I'll definitely try all these myself. Thanks for recommending these Cacao nibs. More power!

  44. Amanda says:

    Love your site! keep going!

  45. amy says:

    these buckwheat crispies, are fantastic, i already made different flavours. they are delicious!

  46. College: Raw says:

    Love the post and the blog!

  47. Anonymous says:

    Your blog rocks! Keep-up the great work. I tell my friends to check-out your site when they want to try the 'raw lifestyle' since your recipes are laid-out and are quick n' easy to do. Thank-you for all of this!

    Ok..cacoa. I especially like to add cacoa nibs to my breakfast smoothies. Simply grind the nibs, toss it into the blender with some almond milk, frozen berries, a dash of vanilla powder and a bit of hemp seed and voila! You have a healthy chocolate strawberry smoothie.

  48. Debra says:

    Oh my goodness!!! It looks sooo good!
    Debra @ Vegan Family Style
    I am giving away a copy of Food Inc- you can enter until midnight 3/31

  49. Nihacc says:

    Hi! I've tried your Buckwheat Coco Puffs, and I love them! Simple and delicious!!! Thanks for your ideas 😀