Dates, raw cacao, and chickpeas can create some magical stuff when blended together.
Before we dive into the recipe, let's take a moment to appreciate the nutritional benefits of these ingredients:
Dates
These sweet and chewy fruits are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They're a natural source of energy and provide a rich, caramel-like sweetness to the chocolate topping without the need for refined sugars.
Raw Cacao
Raw cacao is the purest form of chocolate, made from crushed cacao beans that have not been roasted or processed. It's loaded with antioxidants, flavonoids, and essential minerals like magnesium and iron, making it a superfood for both body and mind.
Chickpeas
Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a versatile legume that's rich in protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates. When blended, chickpeas create a creamy texture that mimics the richness of traditional chocolate frosting, adding a nutritious twist to our recipe.
An important note on Chickpeas: watch out for brands that have tested high for Glyphosate (ie. Monsanto's poisonous Roundup pesticide). The Environmental Working Group has been testing chickpea products for glyphosate for a few years now. Here's what they found in 2020 with a table of chickpea brands. Surprisingly, organic was not always the safest bet. It really depended on the brand with Goya faring quite well overall.
Recipe: Healthy Chocolate Topping for Waffles
Ingredients
1 cup pitted dates, soaked in warm water for 15 minutes
2 tablespoons raw cacao powder
1 cup cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2-3 tablespoons water, as needed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, make sure there's nothing funky in the ingredients)
Instructions
In a food processor or high-powered blender, combine the soaked dates, raw cacao powder, cooked chickpeas and vanilla extract.
Blend the ingredients until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. If the mixture is too thick, gradually add water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
Taste the chocolate topping and adjust the sweetness or flavorings as needed. You can add more dates for extra sweetness or a splash of vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
Once the chocolate topping is smooth and creamy, it's ready to be enjoyed! Spoon it generously over homemade waffles or pancakes.
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