This year on Valentine’s day, we got creative, skipped the token gifts, and created some heat in the kitchen with some delicious bite size indulgences. These recipes are not only sinful and delicious, but are appropriately “heart healthy” as we celebrate National Heart Month.

 

Cupid eat your heart out….

 

Ti Amo Truffles

 

Ingredients

2 cups Organic Desiccated Unsweetened Coconut

¼ cup Organic Maple Syrup or Honey

1/3 cup Organic Coconut Oil

1 tsp Organic Vanilla

4 oz Organic Fair Trade 70 or 85% Dark Chocolate*

*The darker the more bitter the less sugar

 

Process

Place the coconut into the bowl of a food processor and pulse till a course flour texture.

Place the oil and sweetener in a small pot and melt gently over warm heat.

And the melted mixture and the vanilla essence to the processed coconut and stir till well combined.

Using your hands to roll the coconut mixture into about 18 small balls and store in the refrigerator for 30 – 60 minutes.

While the coconut balls are chilling. Melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler.

Remove the coconut balls from the fridge.

Dip each ball into the melted chocolate, with a fork.

Place the chocolate covered coconut balls on a sheet of wax paper and chill till the chocolate forms a hard coating.

Store in the refrigerator.

 

Nuts Over You

 

Ingredients

Safflower oil, to grease pan

¾ cup organic Almonds, coarsely chopped

¾ cup organic Brazil nuts, coarsely chopped

¾ cup organic Macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped

1 ½ cups organic Cane Sugar

50 grams Kerrigold butter

 

Process

Preheat oven to 180 degrees.

Lightly grease a pan with the safflower oil.

Spread the nuts separately on the pan and bake in the oven for about 5 minutes or until toasted.

Remove from oven, set aside and cool.

Heat the sugar in a non-stick ceramic pan over medium heat until it all turns to a caramel color. Stir continuously.

Remove the pan from the stove and stir in the toasted nuts and butter to coat.

Pour the nut mixture into the greased pan, and allow to set for 20 minutes.

Break into pieces.

 

Note

For a flavor variation, you can grind in a little Himalayan salt to create a salted caramel flavor.

 

You Spice Up My Life

 

Ingredients

2 tablespoons organic Olive oil

1 (15 oz) can organic chickpeas, rinsed, drained and patted dry

1 tsp organic Cumin

1 tsp organic Garlic powder

½ tsp organic Chili powder

Himalayan salt to taste

Ground pepper to taste

 

Process

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine all ingredients, except chickpeas in a bowl.

Add chickpeas and toss to coat.

Spread the chickpeas on a baking sheet.

Bake in the oven, stirring occasionally until chickpeas have browned and are crisp. About 45 – 60 minutes.

 

With a little heat and spice in the kitchen, you can make any day an experience that engages all the senses!

 

Enjoy and Be Well!  xo