Monday, October 11, 2010

Choci-Logs

I don't know why I called these Choci-logs because in the end they are not logs are all but I like the name, and anyway half way through the process they are a big log!!
I made the first batch of these for my daughter who was the inspiration behind the Choci-Jo, that's how it got it's name... her name is Sami-Jo!! She is a triathelete so always need healthy nutritious snack to keep up with all the training she does. These are a a great source of Carbohydrates for energy, good fats for metablism and processing nutrients as well as protein for growth and repair that is so essential when you train hard.
With a food processor these only take 5mins to make, they are so quick and easy!

Choci-logs

Ingredients:

100g Kitz Active Almonds
130g Kitz Choci-Jo granola
60g sultanas
60 dates
40g goji berries
40g raw cacao nibs
60g brown rice protein powder
1 large ripe banana – with black spots on it!!

Preparation:
Place almonds into a food processor and ground to a meal, then add Choci-Jo and process until broken up.
Add sultanas and dates a process until they resemble bread crumbs
Then add remaining ingredients and blend until it sticks together, you don’t want to overdo it as it will just turn into fudge with no crunchy bits from the buckwheat or chewy bits from the fruit!!
Turn out onto a piece of baking paper, cling wrap or a layed out clean plastic bag and shape into a big log.
Roll it up tightly then place in the fridge or freezer to cool for about 4hrs.
When the goji berries are soft you can roll it in desiccated coconut, almonds meal or ground cacao nibs then slice into little rounds.
Store in a container in the fridge or freezer depending on your preference
Enjoy!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Tea time for the Kitz Girls
KITZ CHOCOLATE CARAMEL SLICE

My favourite slice has always been the sugary, fatty version of this healthy one I created using raw natural ingredients. I haven't had the sugary one since I was a kid but with this delicious alternative I can now enjoy knowing that all of the ingredients are actually nutritious!! The Choci-Jo and the Active Almonds are available at Kitz Living Foods, theres a link at the right of the page. http://www.kitzlivingfoods.com.au/

INGREDIENTS

Base:
1 cup active almonds
1 cup Choci-jo
½ cup dates
1 T coconut oil

Middle:
1 cup soaked cashews
1 cup soaked date plus soak water
2 T dark agave
½ t each cinnamon & vanilla
¾ guar gum (optional)
Top:
1 ½ cup soaked cashews/mac’s
½ cup soaked dates
100ml dark agave
Pinch vanilla
75ml water
1 heaped t cacao


Preparation:

Base:
Place almonds into a food processor and process until a smooth meal. Add the choci-jo and blend for about 15secs then add dates slowly down the chute while motor is still running adding coconut oil straight after so that it incorporates with the dates, once they are evenly chopped and the mix stays together when pressed into a ball pour into a nice slice pan or round tart dish and press down firmly to make a base. You can use the back of a spoon or the bottom of a flat glass to smooth the bottom. Make sure it is pressed well so that it does not fall apart when cut!!

Filling:
Rinse the cashews then place in a good quality blender with the dates and date soak water, agave, vanilla & cinnamon. Blend until smooth. This can take a while, to test put some mix between you thumb and index finger and if there are no grains, it is smooth like cream it is ready. It may not get as smooth as cream but get it as smooth as you can. IF using guar gum slowly while the motor is running tilt the teaspoon of guar gum into the blender so that it does not clump. Blend until it combines and thickens. Spread evenly over the base then place into the freezer to cool.

Topping:
Place all ingredients except the cacao powder into the blender and blend until smooth and creamy, then add cacao powder and blend until it is mixed in thoroughly. Spread evenly over the filling. You can wait until the filling has cooled a bit then add the topping. Place into the fridge or freezer to cool for at least 5hrs.. then ENJOY!!