'Raw' Raspberry Chocolate Ganache Fudge Cake

I'm doing a 'no added sugar' challenge for 5 days.  This recipe does call for agave or honey or maple syrup in the frosting, but maybe some raspberries and water would do the trick?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4rgk3gQowk

3 cups dried walnuts (is there a difference between 'dried' and what you buy in the baking aisle?)
2/3 cup cacao (or cocoa, from what research I've done so far)
1/4 tsp. salt



LOVE the secret ingredient, although I've never put into anything sweet.

"Raw" Brownie Bites

I found this on Pinterest, via Erin I think.  It's originally from Emily Segal at www.TriumphWellness.com.  The original recipe has only walnuts, no oats.  I decided to substitute regular rolled oats for 1/3 of the walnuts.  Also, I've made these twice now, and used California dates once and Deglet Noor dates once (maybe the same?).  Both times tasted awesome, so I'm not sure what the difference would be with Medjool dates, I have read they are sweeter.  Also, I soaked the dates in warm water for 30-45 minutes before making them.  (That was a tip from a cooking class I attended at Whole Foods.)  They are also larger than the dates I used, so I just used 1 1/2 to 2 times the amount (20-28 dates, instead of 13-14).  It's kind of a big range, but I think if you use less, you make up the moisture with a little more water.  So, here's how I made them today, a double batch, (with Jacob).

'Raw' Brownie Bites

2 cups walnuts
1 cup rolled oats
1/4 tsp. salt
39 California dates, already pitted, although we did find 3 pits as we were mixing
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp vanilla

Directions

1.  Place walnuts and oats and salt in food processor.  Process until finely ground.
2.  Add remaining ingredients and process until all mixed and uniformly crumbly.  Then continue until it forms a ball.
3.  If it doesn't form a ball with in a few minutes, add a few drops of water at a time, with the machine running, until it does form a ball.
4.  Roll mixture into balls.  (I used a 2 tsp. scooper)

Optionals:

Balls can then be rolled in dried coconut, chopped nuts, or cocoa powder.

The original directions said you could also press the mixture into a square pan and cut into bars.

Butternut chicken bisque

This delicious curry came from my sister's college dinner group. I'll type it out with my own notes later

http://danastastyfavorites.blogspot.com/search/label/dinner

Twice-baked potatoes- A New Favorite

My friend Ashley, whose husband is also away right now, invited us over for dinner last week.  She made twice-baked potatoes, and my kids loved them! (me too!)  I don't have an exact recipe, I just sort of copied what she did.  The second time they were even better because I added more milk and mixed the toppings into the potatoes.

I usually bake about 8 potatoes, depending on size. I cut them in half length-wise right after I get them out of the oven, then let them cool off for a few minutes. Then I scoop the insides into a bowl, mix in some milk, softened butter, salt and pepper, mash it all up, like I'm making mashed potatoes.  Then, the fun part, add some shredded cheese, bacon pieces, and broccoli (I sauté it first with onions or garlic), you could use whatever toppings/add-ins you want. Refill the potato skins with the mash mixture. Usually I do all of the early in the day and let them sit until I'm ready to bake them again. It usually takes 20-30 minutes at 350 to reheat them and brown them just a bit.

Lentils in the Slow-cooker

This recipe is from my neighbor Shannon.  Her recipe calls for 1 cooked, cut-up, steak.  I have used raw beef cuts and shredded at the end of cooking, with no problems.  Sometimes I use some cooked, shredded, chicken from the freezer, or no meat at all.  We definitely prefer using the Rotel, but regular diced tomatoes work too.  Also, I use about 6 cups of water and 2-3 bouillon cubes instead of chicken broth.  This is a big recipe, definitely enough for two dinners.

1 bag lentils (depending on how much meat I'm adding, I reduce this to 2/3 bag)
2 c. chicken broth
5 c. water
3 cloves garlic (or 1 heaping tsp. minced garlic)
1 med. chopped onion
1 1/2 c. shredded carrots (I have also cut up my own)
1 can Rotel or stewed diced tomatoes
Salt & pepper
Italian seasoning (or oregano)
1 cooked steak, cubed

Combine in crockpot and cook 6-8 hours on low.