Coconut slices – recipe
Did you know that coconut palms are also known as the tree of life? Coconut is a treasure trove of minerals that has many positive effects on health.
Today we have prepared a recipe for delicious coconut slices, prepared without heat treatment and from the whole ingredients themselves. These coconut slices will sweeten you up without a guilty conscience, as their ingredients have many proven positive effects. You don’t believe it? Keep reading!
Eva S.
Extra virgin coconut oil
Coconut oil, despite being high in saturated fat, has gained a reputation as a superfood in the recent years. Why?
The fatty acids in coconut oil provide fast energy for the body and brain, and encourage the body to burn some extra calories.
The dietary fats contained in coconut oil belong to the group of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which means that after ingestion they go straight into the liver and are immediately used by the body as a source of energy.
Coconut oil contains natural saturated fats that lower the blood cholesterol levels. In addition, it lowers the blood sugar levels, and research shows that it also has positive effects on the brain, as it helps relieve stress, anxiety and depression.
There are two types of coconut oil – virgin and refined. Virgin coconut oil is 100% natural and cold pressed. Virgin coconut oil is popular for its pleasant aroma and taste and is composed of powerful antioxidants, healthy fatty acids and essential vitamins.
On the other hand, refined coconut oil is thermally processed, refined, whitened and deodorized. The final product has very little coconut flavour. It is cheaper, but not so recommended, as it loses all its healing properties during processing.
Nature’s Finest offers you the highest quality coconut oil – extra virgin, cold-pressed and without flavour enhancers, sweeteners or preservatives.
Cocoa butter
Not only is it very useful in cosmetics – cocoa butter is also great in the kitchen. Many desserts actually taste even better if we add cocoa butter instead of regular butter, as it gives a smooth and silky texture and a mild chocolate flavour. Cocoa butter is solid at room temperature and melts when heated, making it the perfect ingredient for making raw desserts and glazes.
Cocoa butter is a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Its nutrients strengthen our immune system and have an anti-inflammatory effect in the body. It also contains oleic acid, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, slows down the aging process and improves the mood.
Carob powder
Our grandmothers are already using the carob powder for desserts and also in coffee. It is a healthy alternative to cocoa and chocolate. It has a sweet taste reminiscent of caramel. Carob sugar does not need insulin for its metabolism – so it is a great alternative for diabetics and those who prefer to avoid sugar. In addition, it does not contain gluten or stimulants, such as caffeine.
It is a rich source of antioxidants, especially polyphenols and flavonoids. These reduce the formation of free radicals and kill the cancer cells. In addition, they have healing effects on the heart and blood vessels. Some researches suggest that they also have a beneficial effect on brain health.
Carob also contains a huge amount of vitamins and minerals that strengthen our immune system. It binds harmful substances in the body and thus helps with digestive problems and promotes intestinal health.
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds were a staple in the diet of ancient South American civilizations, and in recent years they have become increasingly popular in our country as well. Of course, with a reason – chia seeds are extremely nutritious. They consist of a large proportion of protein and dietary fibre, which fill us up for a long time and thus help us lose extra pounds. They are one of the few plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which have an anti-inflammatory effect in our body and decrease the bad cholesterol levels. Chia seeds also contain powerful antioxidants and important minerals that support healthy bones, teeth and digestive tract.
Today’s recipe contains all of the foods listed, and because it is a dessert prepared without a heat treatment, the ingredients retain all their healing properties. This is a healthy coconut dessert that you can enjoy without a guilty conscience.
Base for the coconut slices
- 110g oat flakes
- 40g American pecans *¹
- 1 TBS. chia seeds
- 1 TBS. carob powder
- 1 TBS. coconut oil
- 50g cocoa oil
- 2 TBS. agave syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- 10 dates *²
Coconut cream
- 180g coconut chips
- 55g coconut oil
- 320g coconut crème
- If desired: up to 5 TBS. agave syrup *³
Directions
- Put all the ingredients for the base in a food processor and blend. While blending, scrape the the sides of the bowl several times. The mass will get a crumbly texture, but it can be shaped well with your hands.
- Line a small tray with baking paper, pour the base mass on it and press it against the bottom of the baking tray. Place in the refrigerator to harden.
- Add coconut oil and coconut flakes in the blender and blend well. Add the mixture into the coconut cream and add the agave syrup if desired. Then, pour the mass over the top of the base and place the tray in the freezer for one hour.
- When the cream hardens, cut the dessert into cubes. If desired, you can use some chocolate topping. The slices can be stored in the refrigerator (up to 6 days) or in the freezer (up to 2 months). Before serving take out the cubes from the freezer and leave them at room temperature for 10-20 minutes to soften.
Tips for perfect coconut slices:
*¹ pecans can also be replaced with walnuts, hemp or sunflower seeds
*² use dry dates, soak them before use. If you are going to use larger dates, such as Medjool, use only 6
*³ if trying to avoid extra sugar, do not use the agave syrup in the coconut cream. If desired, you can also replace it with honey or another type of syrup – maple, date, ginger…
