Raw Chocolate Chunk Cookie Fudge Brownies

Raw Vegan Dessert

Raise your hands if you love chocolate.  Wow - a sea of hands!  Okay, now raise your hands if you love raw vegan chocolate.  What?  Haven't tried it before.  We need a few more hands.
 
I love making raw brownies a variety of ways and I felt truly inspired while creating this delicious double layer of chocolaty goodness.  The organic raw cacao I use is from Navitas Natural (I love their raw products!  Amazon has great pricing too).  Raw cacao has a rich chocolate taste and is truly healthy for you.  It is loaded with antioxidants and is a rich source of magnesium and iron.  Of course cocoa is up to a point, but due to the entire roasting process, along with added sugars etc. in some cocoa, it is not near as nutrient rich as raw.  However, if you are not raw and want to use your regular cocoa powder in this recipe, that is perfectly fine.  But maybe one day you can try the raw version to taste the difference.  It's amazing!

raw brownies never tasted so good!

Raw Chocolate Chunk Cookie Fudge Brownies

Chocolate chunks:
1/2 cup cacao powder
1/2 cup coconut oil (*liquefy)
1 Tbs grated or chopped cacao butter (*melted)
3 Tbs agave
pinch sea salt

Wisk together to combine. Pour into foil lined pan/dish and form foil to desired thickness.  Freeze for at least 60 minutes. This makes more than you need, but can never have too much chocolate. Once it is frozen, roughly cut into chunks and store in freezer until ready for use.

*to keep this raw, you can liquefy the coconut oil and cacao butter by putting them in a small dish, fill a separate bowl with enough very warm water so that when you place the dish into the bowl it does not overflow into it. 

Cookie layer:
1 cup Brazil nuts
1 cup flax meal
1/2 cup hemp heart seeds
6 dried figs halved
1 cup medjool dates
1 tsp vanilla

In food processor, process until you can form a ball with it - don't over process. Put mixture into bowl and gently fold in chocolate chunks - as much as you want but save some for top layer. Put into an 8x6 dish and press down *firmly* then put in freezer while you do next step.

Fudge Brownie Top:
1 cup medjool dates
1/2 cup hemp heart seeds
1/3 cup cacao
1 cup dried coconut shreds

In food processor, process until well combined and holds together. This is a very thick mixture. Add on top of cookie layer and press down firmly. Add some chocolate chunks and press down a lightly.  Store in freezer or eat this chewy chocolaty goodness immediately.  At room temperature, fork is recommended as chocolate will get a little melty after a while. Unless you don't mind licking your fingers.

Enjoy!

Peace☮
Rocki

Chocolate Crunch Smoothie - Raw Vegan Shake

Raw Vegan Chocolate Smoothie

Yesterday was an extremely busy hair pulling day for me and I do believe that I was going in several directions at once.  When I finally stopped, I was beside myself - literally.  We both looked at each other and agreed that there was just one thing on my (our) mind and it was one of my chocolate smoothies.  But this time with a crunch factor.  And more chocolate.

So I put on my mad scientist outfit and channeled Gene Wilder (from Mel Brook's Young Frankenstein).  My laughter and excitement overcame me while creating.  I'm sure my neighbors were wondering what was going on.  Then it was complete.  I.  MADE.  FIRE!  Oops... wrong movie. 

I initially named it Chocolate Crunch Stress Relief Smoothie.  It is out of this world and was exactly what I needed.  Rich chocolate taste - check.  Thick and creamy - check.  Crunch factor - check.

So now I present to the world my creation! 

Chocolate Crunch Smoothie - Raw Vegan Shake
1 healthy serving

1 cup coconut water
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 Tbs cacao powder
1 Tbs cacao butter (approx 1" chunk)
1 Tbs coconut oil
2 large frozen ripe bananas
1 Tbs cacao nibs

Put all ingredients into vitamix/blender *except* the cacao nibs, and blend until thick and creamy. With the blender running, add the nibs for just a quick moment to break them down a little bit so that you still have the crunch factor.  Pour into a big mug, stick a straw in, find a cozy spot and let the stress melt away. Ahhhhhh... just what the doctor in me ordered.

Peace ☮,
Rocki

Spicy and Savory Brussels Sprouts- Raw Vegan Snack

Brussels Sprouts - Spicy and Savory

Brussels Sprouts.  We love them!  So many ways to prepare them and they are delicious steamed.  But I just had to get these little guys back into my raw diet.

I've seen several variations of Brussels Sprout chips from individual leaves to the whole entire sprout, so I thought I would put my own spin on these delicious little munchkins.

 

Brussels Sprouts in the dehydrator

 

I had a big batch on hand, so into the garden I went.  Oh, I call my kitchen "the garden" :)  Anyway, Mark and I love spicy food, so I made half of the batch savory and the other spicy.

 



Raw Vegan and Gluten-Free Brussels Chips

 

The end results from my official taste taster: "YUM-MEEEEEE!" (imagine eyes wide open with a big grin on his face while reaching for a handful)  I guess that means they passed and can be added to my recipe pile in the corner of the garden.  One of these days I plan on preparing some e-books for all my raw vegan recipes.

Several ideas for other flavors are dancing around in my head.  We may be eating a lot of Brussels Sprouts. 

Spicy & Savory Brussels Sprouts - Raw Vegan Snack
makes 60 bite size pieces

30 Fresh Brussels Sprouts - halved and set aside

Combine the following in a bowl:
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
2 Tbs EVO (extra virgin olive oil)

Add Brussels and combine until well coated. Let sit for about 15 minutes.  Place cut side up on mesh dehydrator tray.  I sprinkled the following onto half of the Brussels batch: Smoked Paprika, Smoked Cumin and Ancho Chili Pepper powder.  However, the spices or other seasonings can be added to the oil mixture instead - it was an after thought since we love a little heat.

Dehydrate at 115° F for approximately 8-12 hours or until desired texture.  Time will vary due to veggie size, weather, moisture, etc.  These little munchkin snacks are full of flavor and delicious crunchy or a little chewy.

Notes: due to Brussels Sprout size varies from tiny to large, you may need to add a little more oil and/or adjust the seasonings to your liking.  If you do not have a dehydrator, no worries as you can use your oven.  They won't be considered "raw", but you can still enjoy this nutritious snack!

Peace  ☮
Rocki

Raw Vegan Coconut Fruit Smoothie Bowl

Raw Vegan Smoothie Bowl - Coconut Fruit

I love smoothies for breakfast and my favorite is green smoothies - the greener the better.  However, a thick and creamy fruit smoothie bowl is always fun to eat from! 

One thing I absolutely love about creating smoothies is that there is a *ton* of options.  Just think about all the fruit, greens and veggies that are available to you and the numerous ways you can interchange them to create a new smoothie each and every time.  I LOVE eating this way - it's not only nutritious and delicious, but fun too!

Okay, let's get to the recipe for my smoothie bowl and then it's into the studio I go - then class this afternoon.

Raw Vegan Coconut Fruit Smoothie Bowl  
serves 1 healthy portion or 2 small servings

1 cup coconut milk
2 large frozen ripe bananas
1 Tbs flax meal
1 Tbs maca powder
2 tsp chia seeds
coconut water as needed in case too thick (or plain water is fine)

Put all ingredients into your vitamix/blender, except the chia seeds.  Blend until thick and creamy.  Depending on fruit size and blender, you may need to add a little coconut water.  While blender is running, add in chia seeds just long enough to mix in. 

Pour into serving bowl(s) and top with fruit of choice - I topped mine with star fruit, strawberries, dried coconut shreds and more chia seeds.  Set in fridge or leave on counter for about 10-15 minutes for chia seeds to absorb (this will thicken it) or eat immediately and enjoy this delightfully delicious and nutritious breakfast smoothie.

Just because you eat and live a raw vegan lifestyle doesn't mean it's boring.  Stick around awhile or come back often and you'll see why I say that.

Peace,
Rocki