Desserts / Treats
I love desserts, absolutely adore them although only the healthy ones of course as I would never eat the 'butter-white flour-white sugar-icing sugar' versions of cakes, cookies and what have you. The main ingredients (all organic) in my baking are: nuts and nut butters (mainly peanut-, almond- or cashew butter), tahini (sesame paste), coconut oil, rapeseed oil, agave nectar, maple syrup, raw cane sugar, dates, raisins, baby food / apple sauce, spelt flour, barley flour and so the list goes on. Perhaps not the most obvious ingredients but they are widely available in health food stores and you can also find them in the health food section of your larger supermarket. I am very keen on raw cakes although I bake many of my cakes as well, it depends on my mood, the occasion and the time I have available. I also love raw ice creams because they don't use any cream, eggs, butter or anything that might clog veins.
The fat is often limited in my baking (for example I might use one tablespoon coconut oil and a whole jar of baby food instead of using 200 grams of butter. The downside of using lesser fat is that the baking won't always keep for long although you can freeze most of what you make and use it later. Also the cookies tend to require a bit more fat to become crunchy. It's just not fun biting into a soft cookie which is supposed to be crunchy! So wherever I can save 1000 calories and a 100 grams of fat, I do. If the fat is absolutely required, I will use more. My husband is very happy with this policy because it means he can eat a lot more of everything (because it has fewer calories and lesser fat than traditional baking!).
Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
I don't like ice creams that contain lots of cream, egg yolks or egg whites and are so fatty that when the ice cream melts in your mouth, it leaves a fatty layer inside it.
Chocolate Frosting
This is a very low fat and healthy frosting and you can use it on any cake you think might benefit from a chocolate frosting.
Chocolate Fruit Cake
This is a dense, moist and very, very filling chocolate fruit cake. I normally don't serve this after a large meal because people simply can't eat much of it.
Chocolate Mint Ice Cream
My husband said to me after scooping a spoonful (or ten) of ice cream into his mouth..."wow, this tastes exactly like After Eight" (the chocolate mints).
Chocolate Muffins
When I want to indulge...I make these muffins..and I make them with organic, dark chocolate. They are SO yummy.
Chocolate Rice Cakes
I often make these because they are perfect as a treat in my lunch box. They provide me with energy but are not filled with sugar since the only sugar is from the raw cane sugar of the chocolate.
Christmas Confectionery
Confectionery might perhaps not be the right name to use because it usually indicates something unhealthy wrapped in foil, out of a box with a nice picture on the front.
Cinnamon Cookies
These are my favourite cinnamon cookies. There is absolutely nothing that announces the arrival of Christmas more clearly than the aroma of these baking in the oven.
Coconut and Banana Salad
My sister in law, Elin (who has travelled extensively through Africa along with my brother) often makes this accompaniment and serves with Indian or African food.
Couscous Cake with Fruits
I got this recipe from Grænn kostur (Green Option), my favourite vegetarian restaurant in Iceland. Definitely give the place a try if you ever are in Reykjavík. Fantastic food.
Cream Buns with Jam
The Monday, seven weeks before Easter, the tradition in Iceland is to serve Bollur (buns) and the day is called Bolludagur (Bun Day).
Dark Chocolate Cake (without chocolate)
As I mentioned in the introduction to Cous Cous Cake with Fruits, I made that cake in the Icelandic wilderness, far a
Date and Banana Mousse
I don't normally eat mousse since it often contains raw eggs (which I am not fond of) and/or gelatin which I would never, ever put into my mouth.
Date and Carob Cookies
These cookies are gluten free and the perfect treat if you are having guests with gluten intolerance over for coffee.
Date and Nut Bar
I make my own energy bars because a) it is cheaper than buying them and b) I like to know what I am putting into my body.
Date and Orange Cookies
I swear to you, if I could lock the delicious smell of these cookies in a jar, I would do it and then open the jar a couple of times a day and just inhale the lovely aroma of oranges, cinnamon
Date and Prune Confectionery
Before you decide that these treats are for the "elderly" only (because of the prunes), give them a try and knock the socks off your dinner guests.
Date Jam
I use this jam for everything...as a layer when making cakes, on my toast, with hummus, on oatmeal biscuits, in my yoghurt and on waffles. It just goes with everything and is so easy to make.
Date Loaf
I often make this loaf as it is hassle free and easy to put together on a lazy Sunday when you are perhaps expecting visitors. The loaf is also very healthy since dates are packed with fibre.
Dried Fruit Treats
This recipe was given to me by my friend Lisa who found it in a Danish magazine. She immediately thought of me and I was sure glad she did because it is an absolute favourite.
East African Fruit Salad
In every upmarket hotel/lodge I have stayed in when travelling in East Africa (and they are many) a fresh fruit salad is served at the end of a meal.
Flap Jack (Power Bar)
I love home made muesli bars (flap jacks) as much as I detest the junk you can find in some stores. Often this junk is labelled ("energy bars", "power bars" or something equally wrong).
Frozen Bananas with a Chocolate Dip
Bananas are an excellent fruit and even come in their own packaging!
