Easy no cook fudge 1 serving

Totally stolen from Mike L. Loves Blog: Proclus. Look for link at the bottom of this post.

Written like a scientist, because he is one.


As has been noted previously in this blog, cocoa flavonoids share in the healthful benefits of other noted flavonoids, such as citrus bioflavonoids and parsley apigenin. In fact, 70% dark chocolate has been widely recommended because of the demonstrated health benefit.

I had suspected that most of the phenolics and other beneficial anti-oxidants were bound to the fiber in the cocoa solids, and like many other foods, such as grain and citrus, this turns out to be the case. It is unfortunate that these beneficial substances have sometimes been set aside in the past, but thankfully, that is changing. In the case of cocoa, this tends to be less of a problem, because the delicious chocolate flavor resides in the solid fraction, from which cocoa powder is made. There is, however, some cause for concern, because harsh processing is often used to improve the flavor, and it is likely that much nutrient loss results from these processes. This is why I favor plain, inexpensive, commonplace cocoa powder. One of the reasons it is less expensive is that it has received less processing. It should be noted that it is not too hard to find a whole pound of cocoa powder for the price of a single 70% dark chocolate bar, and the powder is likely just as beneficial. You can even improve the healthfulness by adding more cocoa than is found in the chocolate bar without sacrificing flavor, as I explain below.

I say, beware of chocolate that is too delicious, because you might be losing some of the benefit. Similar to the problem of chocolate processing, the glycemic sweeteners that are used to improve the flavor can also detract from the healthful benefit, and the cocoa butter, though beneficial, is likely far less healthful than the cocoa powder. In order to address these problems in this fudge recipe, no cocoa butter is used. That means using cocoa powder instead of chocolate. Although it is not sugar free, agave nectar is non-glycemic, and it has been demonstrated to be healthful when used in moderation. This is due in part to the fact that agave nectar is much sweeter than table sugar so that less is used. Agave nectar also happens to make a very tasty suspension of the cocoa particles, fudge. To me the taste is comparable to some more expensive 70% dark chocolates, and it is also likely just as beneficially healthful. In fact, it is a delicious chocolate treat that can easily be adapted as a spreadable dessert topping. If you are like me, you may have some difficulty maintaining the crucial portion restriction, because of that great old irresistible chocolate flavor. Even with the healthful adaptations, it is still a classic.

It is interesting to muse that our lust for chocolate derives directly from the fact that the polyphenolic and anti-oxidant power resides in the solid fraction, which preserves extremely well. These phenolic and phenyamine molecules surely contribute to the neuroactivity of chocolate. These factors also likely explain the marvelous shelf life of cocoa butter, although it has far less of them. It is truly an unusual case, and our taste for some other flavonoid-laden foods is apparently far less evolved. Chocolate is wildly popular in many countries across the globe, and if it is well prepared, it is a very healthful food that kids love. For those on diets, I have found that a regular helping of cocoa reduces cravings considerably, so that it can aid weight loss if portion restrictions are obeyed. At any rate, on to the recipe. It is very simple, easy, and inexpensive to make. By my measure, it is about 80% cocoa, but you would not know it by the taste, because the agave nectar is very sweet. It is a chocolatey powerhouse!

Makes 1 serving:
2 heaping tbsp cocoa powder
1 tbsp agave nectar

optional:
1 heaping tbsp peanut butter (I like chunky for the texture.)
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Carefully mix the ingredients until a dark, uniform mixture is achieved. As anyone who works with cocoa powder will tell you, it will require a good amount of careful mixing to avoid waste and achieve a uniform mixture, but it is well worth the effort. ;-} I have to say it is so delicious that I have never allowed it to set up very well, but I have some friends with more experience who assure me that it will, especially with the peanut butter added. Without the cocoa butter and sugar, it may not have a classic fudge consistency, but for the additional healthful benefit, it is likely well worth this small sacrifice. Trust me, sucrose molecules are worth avoiding. Although I am changing over from chocolate to this recipe, I consider it to be still somewhat experimental, and I may post further adaptations here. Feel free to suggest something, and we can discuss it. For example, I find that without the peanut butter, it makes a delicious coating for a serving of nuts.

In summary, this fudge delivers that classic taste, very much like good 70% dark chocolate, and it also provides even more of the healthful cocoa, with much less glycemic load, at far less monetary cost. I think we have a winner here, but please remember to mind your portion restriction. Too much of this stuff might destroy the benefit.

instead of peanut butter use hazelnut butter or almond butter.

http://proclus.blog.com/page/2/

Biscuits Berries and Boobquake

I have found that i really enjoy making stovetop biscuits. I was looking for my biscuit cutter, nowhere to be found, yes I know I can use a glass to cut the biscuits....So when at wal-mart this week, I thought as well as buying new knives, I a would get a biscuit cutter too. I could not find one that had a middle insert that can be removed or put back in to make doughnuts. All I found was 3 nestled in each other with a lid to keep them all together. You could cut perfectly round in those three sizes, or you could turn them upsidedownand have fluted edges. Big fat hairy deal. I could not get them apart to use them, very annoying.

On to berries. I got the biggest juiciest strawberries yesterday, took will power not to eat them on the way home. After rinsing them, they tasted as if someone had sprinkled suger over them, and they were so juicy yoou could just suck the juices right into your mouth, then take a bite of the strawberry.
all I can say is yyuuuummmmmmmmmmmyyy!

Boobquake was set for Monday april 26, 2010. The idea being show off a little cleavage or wear short shorts that day to see if "scantily clad" women wear the cause of the last few devistating earthquakes.

I looking for recent quakes yesterday the Daily mail from the UK said there had been one in Tiawan, however this earthquake cannot be verified. The picture they showed was the area that had a landslide a week or so ago, so that one is questionable.

There were not any large earthquakes, and thankfully no devistating earthquakes anywhere. Wondering what the Muslim cleric would have to say now.

Spices Sleep and Stones

Again I have met the overuse of black pepper, this time by food processors. I bought a pre-marinated fajita meat package. The most overwhelming taste of black pepper was unpleasant to say the least, it tasted like someone who was totally unfamiliar with the flavor and experience of fajitas was in the labratory and said this is good. There are so many other spices and herbs readily available that I find this level of culinary unpleasantness unacceptable.

On to other things. Have you ever had one of those days where you just cannot stay awake? Not because of heavy partying, or medications, you cannot stay awake because it is just another effect of your disability. I had one of those days today, I hate when I lose days because of that, I lost a whole summer that way.

On a happier note my last few forays in to town I found some stones that a have been wanting for awhile. I have a matching pair of ammonite, and 2 chryscolla druzy, I just love the sparkle of druzy. Now I need to get silver out and make settings for these beauties, and then the hard part, parting with my treasures. I do love to share my visions of objects with others, so it will not be to much of a hardship.