Cocoa Brownies
Recipe below
Eating like children: do you remember what it was like to eat in your childhood?
Eating was much simpler when we were children. Every day the world opened up to us and our options expanded: more flavors and more textures we began to like and take on our adventures. We ate when we were hungry, we stopped when we were no longer, and we always knew what we liked, even if our tastes changed every day. We explored the world with happiness and with our whole body, from our toes to the tip of our nose. We didn't count grams, calories, and nutrients, and we didn't even know gluten or carbohydrates existed. We were not aware of the number on a scale or the size on our clothing label. Every thigh and cheek was celebrated. We were clear about our needs. We lived intuitively and were satisfied.
Today I invite you to return to those happy days and eat this brownie recipe by intuition and with a smile. A healthy life does not mean to stop eating delicious things that give us joy: it means building a beautiful relationship with food. And this begins in those memories: from when we were children who loved each other as we were, and saw the body as an ally and a friend with many secrets to tell. Listen to your body, and its secret is that it loves chocolate, don’t ignore it!
Cocoa
The essence of chocolate is a natural and miraculous ingredient: cocoa. Specifically, the ground seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree. ‘Cacao’ is what the purest form is called before it’s roasted (unroasted cocoa beans), which are often used to make raw vegan chocolates. Meanwhile, cocoa is the high-temperature roasted cocoa bean, commonly used for processed chocolate.
This is a general distinction, but there is a bit of confusion between these terms since in different countries and sectors they are used in different ways. The important thing is that we try to consume cocoa, because this word indicates that the bean is less processed and is more natural, so you will be able to take better advantage of its nutrients. Remember that, to better absorb the benefits of chocolate, it is better to choose one with a high percentage of cocoa, at least 70%, and preferably dairy-free.
A benefit of cocoa is its antioxidant power. This superfood is a gift for young souls: it has a higher concentration of antioxidants than any other food we know, thanks to phytochemicals such as catechin. The catechin is a secret anti-aging weapon; It turns off age-promoting cells and activates the protective cellular mechanism.
Cocoa is also a tonic; It helps stimulate the function of the nervous system and is the perfect remedy for physical exhaustion. This superfood calms your body! It increases the levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and endorphins in the brain, which help us to have a control, relaxation, and calm state of mind. And on the other hand, if you're looking for a little self-love, the answer lies here. Chocolate also has oxytocin, which stimulates trust, affection, friendship, and love. In short: cocoa stimulates your happiness!
Furthermore, cocoa is beneficial for the cardiovascular system due to its high degrees of magnesium, which calms the nervous system and regulates the heart rate. It also has a lot of sulfur, a beauty mineral that supports healthy hair, nails and skin. And another beauty benefit of this food is that it slows the formation of wrinkles. It increases skin hydration and decreases redness by providing nutrients, blood, and oxygen flow. Cocoa butter is also an excellent cosmetic product: it greatly helps skin that is dry from overexposure to the sun or cold.
As if all these benefits were not enough to fall in love with cocoa, it turns out that this food originates from our country: it was used by the Mayans long before any European knew of its existence. It is a gift from Mexico to the world!
Recipe
Ingredients
Crust:
1/2 cup walnuts (soaked)
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon oat flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup coconut sugar
1/2 cup dates (soaked and pitted)
1 tablespoon coconut oil (melted)
Vanilla essence
A pinch of salt
Fudge:
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup monkfruit honey
2 tablespoons coconut sugar
1 tablespoon coconut oil (melted)
2 tablespoons of water
25 grams of cocoa butter (melted)
Vanilla essence
A pinch of salt
Toppings:
Walnuts
Grain salt
Steps
Crust:
Add nuts, oatmeal, cocoa, sugar, and dates to a food processor and mix until everything is incorporated.
Add coconut oil, vanilla and salt to the food processor.
Mix everything to form a dough.
Transfer the dough to a base with parchment paper.
Flatten the dough until it is completely uniform.
Leave in the fridge.
Fudge:
Add all ingredients except water to the food processor.
Once they are all incorporated, add the water little by little until you get a smooth dough.
Remove the crust from the fridge and add the dough.
Add the toppings and put them in the fridge overnight.
* Take them out 20 minutes before serving.
