Salted Caramel Chocolate Cashews

Is it wrong to make chocolate treats for dinner instead of...actual dinner? I should think not. My biggest issue with this is not that I eat my weight in chocolate (surprisingly) or deprive myself of nutrients not found in chocolate alone. No, it's that I won't have a lunch for work the following day. For example, today's lunch is corn tortillas and a can of black beans...and I didn't even bring a can opener. Who does that?! Produce On Parade - Salted Caramel Chocolate Cashews It's all in the name of chocolate. And speaking of chocolate...Valentine's Day might be my favorite holiday. You thought I forgot, huh? Alas, I'm not even remotely romantic. I grew up with two brothers, the vast majority of my friends are of the male variety, and I'm more tomboy than prettygirl. But if there's two things I love, it's flowers and unexpectedly receiving chocolate goodies. Arguably the things to recieve on this blessed, blessed holiday. 

I don't care if it's over-commercialized. Seriously, what isn't? No really, I really want to know. A day of celebrating love (let's not forget flowers and chocolate) is a pretty radical day in my book. I'm down for that. Plus, my favorite color might be pink. It's a win, win, win, win!

Produce On Parade - Salted Caramel Chocolate Cashews This recipe is a win, too. These little guys are absolutely delectable. I got the idea from a friend who told me her husband buys her a huge bin of those salted chocolate cashew clusters from Costco on Valentine's Day. That's pretty awesome. I decided to add a little date of nature's chewy caramel to them because, let's be real, caramel deserves to include itself in anything and everything. Also, nothing is as good as it could be if it's not salted. It's a fact. Seriously. 

These are scrumptious little cashews, wrapped in chewy caramel dates and dipped in smooth chocolate, all finished with a sprinkle of flake salt. 

Salted Caramel Chocolate Cashews 

Makes about 50 balls (about 1 1/2 cups)

  • 3 oz. semi-sweet chocolate
  • 2 Tbsp. non-dairy creamer or milk (I used hazelnut Silk creamer)
  • 8 medjool dates, pitted
  • 1/2 cup raw whole cashews (about 50 nuts)
  • flake salt for topping

In a small pot, bring about 1 inch of water to a boil over high heat. Reduce to low and place a small, heat-safe bowl over the pot of water. Add the chocolate and the creamer to the bowl to melt. Stirring occasionally, melt the chocolate then remove from heat but keep the bowl over the pot. 

Produce On Parade - Salted Caramel Chocolate Cashews Meanwhile, pit the dates. Cut in half and then cut each half into thirds. There should be six pieces to each date. 

Produce On Parade - Salted Caramel Chocolate Cashews Take one cashew and wrap one piece of the date around it, like they're hugging, to make a ball. Continue with the remaining date pieces. 

Produce On Parade - Salted Caramel Chocolate Cashews Produce On Parade - Salted Caramel Chocolate Cashews Prepare a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Dip the cashew/date ball in the chocolate to coat and place on the parchment paper. 

Produce On Parade - Salted Caramel Chocolate Cashews Produce On Parade - Salted Caramel Chocolate Cashews Sprinkle the top with salt and continue with remaining balls. 

Produce On Parade - Salted Caramel Chocolate Cashews Produce On Parade - Salted Caramel Chocolate Cashews Freeze for 15 minutes to harden. Store in airtight container in freezer. 

Produce On Parade - Salted Caramel Chocolate Cashews Produce On Parade - Salted Caramel Chocolate Cashews Produce On Parade - Salted Caramel Chocolate Cashews As I was cleaning, I moved the curtain and to my squealing delight I found this guy hiding! I felt so bad because I didn't know he was growing back there and he was so thirsty! Poor little fella. It's a Valentine's Day miracle! 

Produce On Parade - Salted Caramel Chocolate Cashews Can you see me?

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Creamy Salted Caramel Tea

As you may know, I recently bought a 1 lb. bag of caramel Rooibos tea. Yes, a ONE POUND BAG, that's a lot of tea. Who does that? I think I've used...1/500th of it. Anyways, last night I wanted to make a dreamy and silky Rooibos tea instead of the regular ol' steeped, plain tea. 

This Creamy Salted Caramel Tea is thickened with coconut cream, sweetened with dates and Kahlua, and has just a pinch of salt. What's not to like? This cup of winter coziness is the perfect beverage for a chilly night. Inspired by my sweet tooth!

Creamy Salted Caramel Tea


Creamy Salted Caramel Tea
By
This rooibos based Creamy Salted Caramel Tea is thickened with coconut cream, sweetened with dates and Kahlua, and has just a pinch of salt.

Ingredients
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 Tbsp. caramel Rooibos Tea (or tea of choice)
  • 1/2 cup full-fat canned coconut milk
  • 1 medjool date, de-pitted and chunked
  • 1 Tbsp. Kahlua
  • 1/4 tsp. xanthan gum (optional)
  • small pinch of salt

Instructions
  1. Steep the tea in the hot water for 5 minutes. This will be a very strong cup of tea.
  2. In a blender add all the ingredients, including the steeped tea. Blend on high, until the dates have become completely integrated.
  3. Serve hot, topped with a dash of cinnamon if you wish!

    4. Prep time:
    Cook time:
    Total time:
    Yield: 1 mug

Save money!

Get bulk rooibos tea here for $15 per lb. At my local grocery store it’s $66 per lb!

I always try to save money in the grocery department when I can and that is some serious savings. Think of all the vegan ice cream you could get…

More Fall and Winter Beverages

Now go cozy up with that creamy caramel goodness. 

Chilling out to Philadelphia Orchestra – Adagio for Strings, Op.11

Healthy Caramel Oat Bran Muffins

Happy Halloween everyone! Today I am not Katie, but Deb, from Napoleon Dynamite. I have a super scary, super spooky, super Halloweenie recipe for you today...Caramel Oat Bran Muffins! Muah-ha-ha-ha-haaa. Okay, so they aren't scary, spooky, or particularly Halloweenie. I didn't even make like a white icing to render mummies on the top or anything. I know, I know. I am the worst. I just never get into the whole Holiday food decorating thing. I wish I could, but I just can't. If you want cutesy recipes (and who doesn't?) there are tons, upon tons of recipes on the world wide web that can satisfy. I'm like the food Scrooge of Halloween. I realize that makes no sense.

Anyways, I made these Caramelesc Oat Bran Muffins for a little family Halloween get together tonight. Perhaps they are a bit of a treat and a trick, though. A treat because they are obviously delicious. I am a huge fan of oat bran muffins. Quaker has the best recipe, hands down. And they are a bit of a trick because there's actually no caramel in them. Hah HAH! Yes. It's true. I'm evil...or wonderful?

Produce On Parade - Healthy Caramel Oat Bran Muffins

So here's the story. I really wanted to put pumpkin chips in these. You know...like the little pumpkin flavored chocolate chip things? Yea, the store didn't have them. Did I imagine that these were a thing? I suppose it's possible. Anyway, without any pumpkin chips available, I decided I could put little caramel bits in them! Perfect right? Um...no. There are no vegan caramels at the Wasilla Fred Meyer. I could possibly have made some, but I didn't really have the time.

Saddened, I stood in the candy aisle all distressed and morose. Then, in my wallowing, I thought about a caramel dip I made last year with dates and how much everyone loved it. Realizing that dates pretty much equal caramel, I had my answer! I guess a more appropriate and accurate name for these muffins would be Date Studded Oat Bran Muffins, but that sound much too boring. Besides it's Halloween, so here's your trick and your treat! 

Produce On Parade - Healthy Caramel Oat Bran Muffins

These dense, wholesome oat bran muffins are infused with caramelly sweetness and studded with soft and chewy "caramel" bits...aka...dates.

Healthy Caramel Oat Bran Muffins

Inspired by Quaker Oats (okay yes, I used the recipe from the photo of the back of the box on Amazon)

Makes 12 muffins

  • 2 Tbsp. ground flaxseed
  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • 2 cups oat bran hot cereal, uncooked
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup unsweetened soy milk
  • 1 tsp. vanilla butter & nut extract (or caramel extract)
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil (or coconut or canola)
  • 1/2 cup dates, de-pitted and chopped (about 5)

Preheat oven to 425 F and spray a regular muffin pan with a non-stick cooking spray. 

Whisk together the flax and water in a small bowl and place in the fridge until ready to use. 

Whisk the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.

Produce On Parade - Healthy Caramel Oat Bran MuffinsWhisk the wet ingredients together, including the flax eggs but not the dates, in a medium bowl.

Produce On Parade - Healthy Caramel Oat Bran Muffins

Now, gently stir the wet mixture into the dry mixture until just combined. Fold in the chopped dates. 

Produce On Parade - Healthy Caramel Oat Bran Muffins Produce On Parade - Healthy Caramel Oat Bran Muffins Produce On Parade - Healthy Caramel Oat Bran MuffinsPlace about 1/4 cup of batter into each muffin cup and bake at 425 F for 15 minutes or until golden brown around the edges. 

Remove from pan with the edge of a knife and set on a cooling rack. Sprinkle with a bit of brown sugar if you like. 

Produce On Parade - Healthy Caramel Oat Bran MuffinsAlso, West Elm has free shipping today and...well, I did a bad, bad thing. This was me when I told Todd what I did. Heh heh heh. Source: mrwgifs.comSource: mrwgifs.com

Listening to Gerygone & Twig – Kind of Leaving(That Is Not) (They are from my hometown!)

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