Broccoli, Feta & Pine Nut Fritters

I was scrolling through Facebook earlier this morning when a recipe from here caught my eye...
Broccoli, Feta and Pine Nut Fritters.

WELL! I thought.. Who the hell has the time and energy to make such an elaborate snack? I kept scrolling but I thought I would just check out the ingredients and method... Looked easy enough and lo and behold I even had all of the ingredients in my kitchen! Including the pine nuts.

Well I did make a few changes but they still turned out just fine.

I had leftover coconut rice in my fridge from a last minute Thai craving so I teamed them with that and some sweet soy sauce. You could also serve them with a salad and some caramelised balsamic vinegar.

INGREDIENTS:
(Makes 8 fritters)

1 medium sized broccoli
3 garlic cloves finely chopped (I used minced garlic because I'm a lazy person and I hate my knife)
4 eggs
1 small bunch of parsley, chopped. (I used coriander because its all I had)
150g of flour (any flour inc gluten free etc)
50g extra flour just incase mixture is too wet
80g feta cheese (I just threw a handful of plain grated cheese in..)
1/2 cup pine nuts
Salt and pepper
Coconut oil

Chop broccoli finely and microwave for 2 minutes.
Beat the eggs in a bowl and add flour, garlic, salt, pepper and parsley.
Chop feta into small cubes and throw in mixture.
Toast pine nuts in a dry pan on stove (low heat) for 4-7 minutes and add to mixture.
Add 50g extra flour if mixture is too wet (how the hell are we supposed to know if its too wet?)
Heat large frying pan on moderate heat and add coconut oil.
Scoop 1 tablespoon of mixture onto the pan and flatten slightly with a spatula.
Cook 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.

ENJOY!!

The Best Damn Chocolate Crackles You Will Ever Eat!

Who doesn't love a good chocolate crackle? As a kid, I looked forward to these bad boys at every kids party. I still love going to kids parties for the food and hope that there will be these little cases of chocolate goodness.

Im so disappointed when there's not.

Recently, I went dairy free and vegetarian as well as already eating a gluten free diet. Sucks, I know, but its for health/medical reasons and it seems to be working so I'm sticking with it. Im actually having an awesome time looking up and trying new recipes! Im eating way more vegetables than I ever have before (what else... is there?) and I'm loving it! Of course there are my favourite foods that I am adapting and there is stuff that I just absolutely have to miss out on (BACON!). But I'm surviving and feeling great! I feel so much better already.

So I have been feeling like chocolate crackles lately and decided I would give them a go, vegan style.

SO MUCH EASIER AND BETTER THAN I EXPECTED!!!

Like, why haven't we always made them like this?? Who the hell made up the recipe with disgusting copha when they could have used coconut oil?? I will never make them the traditional way again!!

I have seen these made with melted chocolate... Its not dairy free. I have seen these made with Mars Bars... Also not dairy free.

Here is a vegan (and way healthier and better tasting) way! YAY!!!

I totally laugh when people hear that I have restricted my diet and say "OMIGOD you are going to lose so much weight!"

Yeah.... Right!

Jasmine very excited to have one after dinner!

Dying to have another!!

Makes 24

You will need 24 cupcake papers

1 cup shredded coconut

1 cup icing sugar (pure for gluten free)

1/3 cup of cocoa (I used raw cacao powder for added health benefits and better taste)

4 cups of rice bubbles or coco pops (can use the gluten free version if required)

150g solid coconut oil

Mix all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Melt the coconut oil in a saucepan on the stove and let cool for a minute or two.

Add the melted coconut oil to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Refrain from eating the mix as is, or you will have none left.

Spoon into cupcake pans and place in the fridge to set!

ENJOY!

Rikkiliane

High Fibre Chocolate Protein Balls

Poo balls. Well, thats what I'm calling them. I made these little healthy chocolate balls to increase the fibre in my diet. I hope to god that it works!! Everything in these little balls of goodness is high in fibre and have numerous health benefits!

First up, Cocao powder. Its amazing. Not only for making these balls taste like christmas day but for the health benefits such as:

•   An excellent source of antioxidants

•   Contains one of the highest dietary sources of magnesium

•   One ounce has an amazing 9 grams of fibre

•   One ounce contains 4 grams of protein 

•   One ouch contains 6% of daily value of iron

•   Contains over 300 compounds includes calcium, protein, magnesium, copper, zinc and iron

•   Super high concentration of antioxidants

•   Contains 4 different neurotransmitters that promotes a positive outlook and acts as an anti-depressant

•   Contains essential fatty acids which help to decrease appetite

•   Can help to decrease appetite

•   Can help to decrease blood pressure

•  Source

Next is chia seeds:

•   Excellent source of healthy omega fatty acids - 700% more than salmon

•   Contains 500% more calcium than milk

•   More antioxidents than flaxseeds or blueberries

•   Excellent source of dietary fibre with 6g

•   Contains 20% of easily digestible protein

•   Source

Almond meal/flour:

•   Helps to regulate cholesterol and blood pressure

•   A natural energy booster

•   Loaded with protein, calcium and fibre

•   High in antioxidants

•   Can help to reduce the risk of heart disease

•   Source

Coconut Oil:

•   Super high in lauric acid

•   Rich in antioxidants

•   Contains natural microbial and anti-bacterial agents

•   Helps to improve metabolism

•   Improves cholesterol levels

•   Source

Seseame Seeds:

•   High in calcium at 35% daily value

•   Excellent antioxidant

•   Daily value of 44% manganese and 31% magnesium

•   Daily value of 73% copper and 29%iron

•   Helps to reduce inflammation and lower cholesterol

•   Source

Protein Powder:

•   Facilitates muscle toning and endurance

•   Antioxidants, vitamins and mineral

•   Suitable for vegetarians and gluten free

•   18.8g of protein per serve (the drink made up, not the balls)

•   High protein, low fat, low carbs

Because these babies have protein and coconut oil, they will fill you up for longer and keep you satisfied. Increased fibre in the diet also contributes to numerous health benefits including keeping regular and lowering cholesterol. 

There are so many possibilities with these! They are awesome! You can roll them in anything you like for even more of a benefit - Sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, carob powder, cacao nibs, chia seeds, coconut (i used this) or even hemp seeds.

These are the exact ingredients that i used, you can change brands and use organic for added benefits.

Recipe below!

Ingredients 

I cup of almond flour/meal (I used meal)

I scoop (or serving) of chocolate protein powder (any brand, i used BODY - shaping protein for women)

1/4 cup sesame seeds

1/4 cup chia seeds

1/4 cup cacao powder

1/2 cup nut butter (i used almond and chia)

1 tbsp melted coconut oil

2-3 tbsp pure maple syrup (i didn't have this so i used extra coconut oil)

Combine all ingredients, roll in balls and roll in preferred coating. 

These will make 10 large balls or 20 small balls

Keep in the fridge!