All posts filed under: Snack

Chocolate Hazelnut spread

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Last week, I decided to make my own Chocolate Hazelnut Spread and got hooked ever since! Early 2016, I decided to lower my processed food (e.g. Nutella) consumption, which pushed me to search for different hazelnut chocolate spread recipes. My preferred taste combo: less cream & butter, and more chocolate. Note that the dosage hazelnut-chocolate can be changed depending on your taste. The spread lasts 4 weeks in the fridge, just remove ahead of time to let the spread soften. Ingredients for 100g: 1 cup Skinned Hazelnut 2 tbs Cream 2 tbs Unsalted Butter 2 tbs Sugar 100g Milk Chocolate 100g Dark Chocolate 1/4 tsp Sea Salt 1. Preheat oven to 180°C (about 350°F); 2. Spread out the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes until deep brown color. Make sure to shake them for even toasting and let them cool; 3. Grind the hazelnuts and sugar in a food processor until smoothed, it should take 1 minute for a buttery effect; 4. Melt the chocolate over a saucepan of simmering water; or just put them in the microwave for 15 seconds; 5. …

The secret of Halawa

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Halawa, Haleweh, Halva.. different names to the same middle eastern confectionery. Its preparation is based on traditional recipes that include long hours and meticulous steps of creating a meringue, which makes it difficult to re-create at home. You should know first that this sweetmeat is one of the most nutritious whole foods sweets you can have. Plus the fact that it indulges the sweet toothed! It’s delicious and can come in different flavors: chocolate, coffee, vanilla, rosewater or orange oil. You can add a crunchy flavor to it using pistachios, almonds or hazelnuts. It is usually served with bananas and honey, in a bread. In my opinion it can be used as a great topping to a chocolate tart. It feels like a good mix of French and Lebanese culture in a dish… Super Tasty! Ingredients: 250g Powdered Milk 200g Icing sugar 250g Tahini (sesame paste) 30g Cocoa powder (optional for chocolate flavor) 2 tsp Vanilla flavor (optional) 1. Mix the tahini (sesame paste) with the cocoa powder or vanilla flavor in a robot (make sure to sift the cocoa powder). 2. In a bowl, sift the …

Almond Butter – Breakfast Edition

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They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day! I say it’s the most delicious one specially when drinking coffee 🙂 Okay… I might sound like a coffee addict, but I only drink it twice a day: A cappuccino lactose-free milk in the morning (my new habit) and a double espresso in the afternoon to keep me going! You might have noticed that I recently posted the Almond Butter Spread recipe which I am using for my morning dishes & snacks. I am also experimenting on different spread flavors depending on my mood. Here are some quick breaky recipes to fuel your day: 1. Granola & Fruits with Almond Butter Cut your favorite fruits, squeeze half an orange to add more taste. Spread the almond butter and add some granola and pomegranate seeds. 2. Toast & Fruits with Almond Butter Toast your bread then spread the almond butter. Add some banana slices and sprinkle with chia seeds, agave syrup and pomegranate seeds. Enjoy your morning. The Urban Apron

Almond Butter 101

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Are you hearing a lot about ALMOND BUTTER (or not)? Well, let me tell you more about it so you could make-up your own mind – unless you are allergic to nuts, then forget about it! First and foremost, it tastes GOOD which makes it suitable to be part of your diet: eaten on its own or added in sauces, homemade baked recipes and even smoothies! However, reasonable consumption should still be considered (like any other food product). Making nuts part of your diet supports your health by helping your body regulate blood sugar and lowering a risk of a heart attack. The STAR Nutrients: Vitamin E: As an antioxidant, vitamin E can neutralize free radicals, preventing these harmful chemicals from oxidizing your DNA and proteins, which damages your cells. Magnesium: Magnesium contributes to the function of your nervous system, facilitates muscle contraction, makes up a component of healthy bone tissue and helps support your metabolism. Iron: Iron promotes healthy oxygen transport — it helps you make hemoglobin and myoglobin, two proteins that oxygenate your tissues. Like vitamin E, iron protects your cells from oxidative damage by …