Thursday, August 22, 2013

SALADITOS AKA SALTED PLUMS

I remember running around with the other kids on the block sucking on salted plums as a little girl.  I forgot all about them until someone mentioned them and how expensive they are now for just a few dried plums.  I thought since I had a bag of dried but soft prunes I would make some.  They came out wonderful.  So with that, I thought I'd share. This is not for all folks but 4 dried prunes holds a lot of potassium.

Ingredients:  
  • One bag soft dried prunes. Pitted is best but not necessary
  • One cup salt
  • 1teaspoon citric acid (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne red pepper (Optional)
Instructions:
  • Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl.  
  • Add prunes and mix well. 
  • Let sit 3 hours in the bowl. Then brush off excess salt
  • Put on a cookie sheet and bake on low till done about 3 hours
  • Store in a air tight container once cooled.
It makes a great stocking stuffer, or a nice tray at a party.or to just reminesque old time memories. Just pop one of these salty sour dried plums.  It would make every hair on your body stand on its ends.  Lol.

 Well, for those interested now you know how easy it is to make.  Please feel free to share with others on facebook, or Pinterest, or your own collection of recipes...be my guest.  Thanks for stopping by.  Till the next time...many blessings.

Sincerely,

Mary Helen

Thursday, August 15, 2013

CHOCOLATE BLACK BEAN ICE CREAM - Dairy Free

Hi everyone,

I'm always up for a challenge, and when my friend Alma told me that she had black bean ice cream in Guatemala, and the way she described it made my mouth water.  I had to try this and woe is me, I had no recipe.  NOT! I just got the opportunity to be in my element. I added basics like vanilla and sugar and I still was not feeling it.  It was okay, just okay ... until I added some unsweetened cocoa.  Voila!  What a marriage:)  Who knew Chocolate Black Bean Ice Cream could taste so good.  Now this is healthy eating right?  Protein, vitamins and minerals and a good fat for your body to absorb it all.  I did promise cheap ways to eat healthy right?

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups cooked black beans
  • 1/2-3/4 cups of sugar (as sweet as you like)
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil (I used coconut oil)
  • 3-4 tablespoons cocoa unsweetened
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 6-8 cups ice
I mixed all these ingredients and blended them in my Ninja 1500.
It almost broke down all the ice.  I was afraid if I went any longer, I
would have chocolate black bean soup.  Hey?  Not today:))
Instructions via photos:



I cooked my beans in a crock pot.  Two cups
of black beans I added the chocolate, sugar and oil.


I added 3 tablespoons of cocoa, very chocolatey, however, the
coconut oil overpowered the chocolate.  NO BEAN FLAVOR,
HONEST!
I mixed all the ingredients in my Ninja 1500w.  It left a few chunks of ice, but get the picture?  It's Chocolate Black Bean Ice Cream.  Tastes like almond joy (just the flavor).  And again it it healthy and very cheap and easy.

Well, I dare someone besides me to try this PLEASE!  Let me know the outcome.  Till then please like and share with a link below.  Thanks for stopping by and allowing me to be of service one more time.  Many blessings to all.

Sincerely,

Mary Helen