{"id":6060,"date":"2013-02-11T16:32:01","date_gmt":"2013-02-11T21:32:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.glutenfreeislife.com\/?p=6060"},"modified":"2013-02-11T16:32:01","modified_gmt":"2013-02-11T21:32:01","slug":"healthy-valentines-day-snacks-treats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.glutenfreeislife.com\/?p=6060","title":{"rendered":"Healthy Valentine’s Day Snacks & Treats"},"content":{"rendered":"

Valentine\u2019s Day is notorious for including treats that may be rich and decadent.  Those treats don\u2019t have to be loaded with fat and sugar to taste good, though.  Guiding Stars<\/a>\u2019 expert chef, Erin Dow, has created the following Valentine\u2019s Day recipes that are both delicious, nutritious and gluten-free<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n

\"Black<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Black Bean Brownies<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that is 60\u201370% as sweet as table sugar yet it is almost non-caloric, does not affect blood sugar, does not cause tooth decay, and is partially absorbed by the body.  It is less likely to cause gastric side effects than other sugar alcohols due to its unique digestion pathway.<\/p>\n

Number of Servings:<\/b> 9 (1 Brownie) (80 G )<\/p>\n

Prep Time:<\/b> 15 Minutes<\/p>\n

Cook Time:<\/b> 45 Minutes<\/p>\n

<\/b><\/p>\n

Ingredients<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00b7 3\/4 cup Granulated Erythritol<\/p>\n

\u00b7 3\/4 cup Regular Cocoa Powder (unsweetened)<\/p>\n

\u00b7 1\/4 cup Quinoa Flour<\/p>\n

\u00b7 1+1\/2 teaspoon Baking Powder<\/p>\n

\u00b7 1\/2 teaspoon Baking Soda<\/p>\n

\u00b7 1\/2 teaspoon Instant Coffee<\/p>\n

\u00b7 1\/4 teaspoon Salt<\/p>\n

\u00b7 3 tablespoon Ground Flaxseed<\/p>\n

\u00b7 1\/3 cup Almond Milk (unsweetened)<\/p>\n

\u00b7 1\/2 cup + 1 tablespoon applesauce, unsweetened<\/p>\n

\u00b7 One 15 1\/2 ounce can no salt-added Black Beans, drained and rinsed well<\/p>\n

\u00b7 1 tablespoon Canola Oil<\/p>\n

\u00b7 1\/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract<\/p>\n

Directions<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00b7 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9-inch brownie pan with parchment paper.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00b7 In a small bowl, stir the flaxseed and almond milk together, set aside to thicken.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00b7 In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients and set aside.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00b7 In a blender, puree applesauce, black beans, oil, vanilla and thickened flaxseed mixture.  Puree until all of the beans have been liquified. Pour into a large bowl.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00b7 Add the dry mixture to the wet in thirds, whisking thoroughly each time. The batter should be thick.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00b7 Spread the batter in the prepared pan.  Bake for 45 minutes.  To test if the center is cooked, tap the surface. If it\u2019s firm and springs back, it\u2019s ready.  Let cool for about 30-40 minutes in the pan<\/i>, then flip onto a drying rack top-side\/ugly-side down.  Peel off the parchment paper and let cool completely<\/i> before slicing.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

*Kim\u2019s note \u2013 I am not big on sugar substitutes and plan on using 1\/3 to 1\/2 cup of honey or maple syrup in place of the granulated erythritol when I make these.<\/em>  <\/p>\n

\"Carrot<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Carrot Bars<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

This Indian-inspired dessert is simple and sweet. Perfect for wowing the guests at your next celebration, this spicy-sweet confection is as lovely as it is flavorful. Look for green cardamom pods at your local Indian grocer.<\/p>\n

Number of Servings:<\/b> 6 (696 G )<\/p>\n

Prep Time:<\/b> 10 Minutes<\/p>\n

Cook Time:<\/b> 1 Hour and 20 Minutes<\/p>\n

Ingredients<\/b><\/p>\n