Friday, June 4, 2010

Raw! one bowl brownies

This recipe is for my dear friend, Suzanne, who writes me that she is trying to switch to raw food for her family.  When Kelly was diagnosed with cancer, we picked up several books exemplifying the goodness of eating "raw".  We were, however, discouraged by some of the preparations and equipment needed to recreate meals and never quite got into making a lot of the recipes.  Our oldest daughter, Erin, has also dabbled with raw and found the VitaMix a great tool, although expensive to buy unless you're really going to use it a lot.

A few days ago, I came across a cookbook at Whole Foods that renewed my interest with raw.  It's entitled "Raw for Dessert" by Jennifer Cornbleet.  A lot of the recipes are fruit based and that's good, especially if your family doesn't always eat the required daily amount.  I came across these "one bowl brownies" and being a chocoholic, decided to try them.  If you like a fudgy brownie, this is a great recipe.  Very easy to make; in fact Jennifer states, "ten minutes is all it takes."  They satisfied my craving and I would definitely recommend you giving them a try.

Really! one bowl brownies
3 cups raw walnuts
1/8 tsp. salt
16 pitted medjool dates
2/3 cup organic cocoa powder
1/2 cup dried cherries, chopped
1/4 cup raw cocoa nibs (optional)
2 tsp. filtered water


Place the walnuts in a food processor fitted with the metal blade and process until coarsely chopped.  Remove 1/2 cup of the walnuts and set aside.  Add the salt to the rest of the walnuts and process until the walnuts are finely ground.  Add the dates and process until the mixture begins to stick together.  Add the cocoa powder and process to incorporate.  Add the chopped walnuts, drives cherries, optional cocoa nibs, and water and process briefly, just until mixed.


Pour the mixture evenly into an 8-inch glass baking dish and press down with your hand to compact.  Cut into squares.

Covered with plastic wrap, these brownies will keep for 5 days stored in the refrigerator or for 2 weeks stored in the freezer.  Enjoy!
  

5 comments:

  1. SUSAN! This is so very kind of you... I have come looking at all your cooked cookie recipes and left with a little twinge of Raw foodie envy.. I miss the "crunch" of a cookie. I have been doing this for just over a month now and I do feel so on top of the world. I cannot deny that I am not yearning for a few of my old favourites but my Raw food wheel is turning and gathering speed..I am going to head straight for my vintage apron and make these~

    Susan, I still think daily of you and your family. I send our love and healing wishes to you.

    Lots of love my friend
    Love
    Suzanne

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  2. Suzanne ~ your family will love these! Jennifer added that you could top them with her fudge frosting; which is 3/4 cup dark agave syrup, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 cup virgin coconut oil, melted, and 1/8 tsp. salt. Again, place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. I hope you enjoy them and thank you for your love and healing wishes. I know it's going to take time.

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  3. I have been trying to incorporate more raw foods into my diet. This week I have substituted pasta with raw zucchini sliced with this (the middle green one cuts into pasta like shreds).

    http://www.amazon.com/Swissmar-Peeler-Set-of-3/dp/B001EXMT74/ref=pd_sim_k_6

    I love it! Now I have dessert too!!

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  4. I am fascinated and envious of those that can stick with a raw diet
    I found the food prep way too time consuming for raw and some
    of the recipes way too pungent when eaten raw
    but raw desserts are amazing and this seems easy enough. I also follow
    "kristen's raw" blog and have been meaning to try the chocolate cherry bomb shake...you can search for it on her site since I can't seem to paste the link
    anything chocolate has got to be good, right??

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