HONEY LEMON CURD WITH ALMOND FLOUR PIE CRUST

Orange Curd Chocolate Bars (Paleo, Gluten-free, Grain-free, Plant-based, Vegan)

I think these bars are to dance with a ready sip of a cup of red wine, the base it`s made with a combination of no-bake almond butter, almond and coconut flours, cacao powder, honey, ghee, and dates, the addition of chili powder, and black pepper take them to the next level,  and the orange curd it`s with fresh orange juice, its zest,  gelatin, honey/coconut nectar,  and eggs, not too sweet,  for me, it was exactly what I needed, but you can add more to your liking, I always say, taste, only a little bit, we don`t have the same palate,  you can play with the flours, change for another, take one out, but remember that the coconut flour it`s very absorbent so you will need to add more nut or seed flours. The combination of orange and dark chocolate it`s outstanding!  

A friend gave me a lot of oranges, a part of them is what you see here, so I thought in addition to the fresh juice, and the occasional combination with the food, what could I do with them? but I wanted it to be something quick, without any complications, you can do it too, mix everything out and in no time it`s done, only you will need to wait several hours because they need to get the proper temperature and to be set.

The celebration of #5demayo is coming and I think these spiced paleo bars can beat it! what do you think?

I only had a little honey, so I thought about using coconut nectar because it tastes amazing and I really don`t like maple syrup, it worked good in both.

Nourishing your body without compromising your health it`s straightforward, most of the bars we eat are filled with gluten, colors, sugar or high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, soybeans and/or oil, or other unhealthy binders, we think that we are eating correctly, but there is nothing too far away from the reality. I know a lot of people don`t like to cook, others prefer eating outside, but there is nothing like the food we make at home, it`s fresher, we know exactly what to put in it because we bought it first right? do you remember how the food of your mom or your grandma tasted? no one will forget that, even if it was a little, so I am trying to encourage you to change the way to eat, think first before buying, tell your family, don`t buy that, I can do that better at home.

What we get with those bars is a combination of healthy fats, each one has 9 gr of protein, 
a bunch of vitamins, and minerals we need every day for the proper function of the body, they are refined sugar-free, have calories, and no-inflammatory carbohydrates, so let`s remember what`s inside of them?

Dates are rich in fiber, carotenoids as well as vitamins A, B6, and minerals: magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, copper, and iron, and other traces of them, also they have protein, sugar, and carbs.

Almond flour and butter are an excellent addition first all because it`s one of the most famous gluten-free alternatives, they have antioxidant properties, protein,  fiber, carbohydrates, monounsaturated (heart health) and solid fats (cholesterol), calcium, copper, manganese, potassium, magnesium, vitamins A, B2, E, niacin, and riboflavin, also sugar, they help weight loss and preventing weight gain. but any nut and seed need to be soaked for several hours or toasted to reduce the phytic acid that blocks the absorption of other minerals.

Oranges have antioxidant properties, dietary fiber, carbs, and simple sugars but they have a low glycemic index, a good amount of vitamin C, and vitamins A, B1, B6, B9 (folate), minerals: calcium, magnesium, and potassium. 

Raw cacao is a superfood that has a lot of benefits to our body, rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds (high in phenolic phytochemicals, such as theaflavin, procyanidin, resveratrol, and epigallocatechin gallate) that could prevent heart and cancer diseases, decreases the free radicals, has fiber, protein, carbs, saturated fats, vitamins B, minerals zinc, magnesium, sulfur, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, maintains healthy blood pressure, boost the brain effectiveness, control blood clotting, lowers LDL cholesterol, has anti-depressant and mood effects because stimulates the production of endorphins in the body.

I know why I always want to dance! 😂 I love cacao or anything with dark chocolate, I can eat it all day, and it makes me feel so good, do you? 

So, what are you waiting for? Let`s do it!

ORANGE CURD CHOCOLATE BARS (Paleo, Gluten-free, Grain-free, Plant-based, Vegan)

Preparation Time: 15 min
Time to make both:  20 min
Total Time: 35 min.The recipe makes 16 bars (more if you want to cut them smaller)

Ingredients:

Crust                                                                                        

1. 2 tbsp coconut flour
2. 3 cups almond flour
3. 1 cup +1 tbsp cacao powder
4. 1/2- 3/4 tsp pink or sea salt
5. 2 tbsp almond butter or another nut or seed butter
6. 1/2 cup pitted and chopped dates
7. 1 tsp vanilla
8. 1/2 cup honey, coconut nectar, maple syrup, or another sweetener (mine was half honey half coconut
9. 5 tbsp ghee or coconut oil melted
10. 1/4-1/2 tsp chili powder or add more to your liking (optional)
11. pinch of black pepper (optional)

Orange Curd

1. 4 whole eggs
2. 5 eggs yolks
3. 3 tbsp ghee or coconut oil  
4. 1 cup fresh orange juice
5. 2/3 cup honey, coconut nectar, maple, or another sweetener
6. 1 tbsp gelatin
7. 4 tbsp orange zest (2 for the curd, 2 for garnish on the bars)
8. 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

Crust

Grease and line a 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper and set aside. If you use a nonstick pan or silicone one, you don`t need to put baking paper on it.

Measure the dry ingredients together and dump them into a food processor and pulse to mix them.

Add the chopped dates, nut butter, and ghee melted, and blend them scrapping the sides until you have a dough that comes together, at this point if needed add 1 or 2 tbsp milk.

Take it out and put it into a pan, working with your hand spread evenly in the bottom of it, then take it to the fridge to set it.

Orange Curd

In a bowl mix together the whole eggs, yolks, salt, orange juice, 2 tbsp zest, and honey, stir.

Turn on the stovetop at medium temperature, add this mixture, and start to stir constantly until it thickens, add the gelatin and stir for a few minutes until it`s dissolved, about 7-8 min.

Take it out of the stove and add the ghee or coconut oil mixing.

If you like to take out the zest and any solid egg part passes through a colander, I don`t have that issue, let me recommend you something, If you start stirring from the beginning without stopping, you will never have any problem with cooked eggs inside it.

At this point, you can stir until it`s not too hot, but you need to act rapidly because it`s starting to thicken more because of the gelatin, also you don`t want it makes a crust.

Assembling together

Spread the hot curd in the cold crust distributing well, then add the rest of the orange zest.

Let it cool and set for several hours in the fridge, is better overnight.

Then take it out, and chop them in the desired shape and size. 

Store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to one week, if there is any left until that moment.

 Enjoy as a dessert or snack!

Notes: As the curd is cooked, the orange color becomes very pale, if you want you can add a pinch of turmeric or some organic proven food coloring. I added a little turmeric before starting to cook it.

You can adjust the quantity, could be in an 8x8 inch pan instead, or another pan.

Let`s connect! I want to see your creation, tag me at @martahealthyrecipes so everyone will know what your thoughts and changes are, and this will help the community and myself.

Instagram 

Pinterest 

Facebook

XO Marta

Do you want to see another related recipe?

HONEY LEMON CURD WITH ALMOND FLOUR PIE CRUST

Remember, "Your body is a temple, but only if you treat it as one". Astrid Alauda. 

f you like it, you can share it with your friends. It will be kindly appreciated by me. Thank you! 💗