Cherry Chocolate Almond Flour Muffins

I resist it every chance I get – but when it comes right down to it, change is good.  I’ve missed muffins.  And I’ve found some that seemed to work for me – the restaurant wasn’t 100% willing to give out the recipe.  But thankfully, they did give out the ingredients! So I searched out the ingredients online, put together a couple of recipes, and this is the end result.  I haven’t even tasted them yet – but I’m really excited to do so.  (They are cooling in the pan at this very moment.)

Without any ado, here is the recipe:

Cherry Chocolate Almond Flour Muffins

2 cups blanched almond flour
4 eggs
¼ cup agave syrup
½ tsp baking soda
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
¼ cup (scant) chopped dried cherries
¼ cup (scant) chopped semi-sweet chocolate

In medium bowl, combine flour and baking soda.

In large bowl, combine eggs, honey and vinegar.  Add and combine cherries and chocolate.

Stir dry ingredients into wet – mix until combined.

Scoop into 8 lined muffin tins – starting with about ¼ cup at a time.  The more level you are able to fill the muffin cups, the nicer they will look. (So sayeth the lady at the café.)

Bake at 350ºf for 15 minutes.  Wait an absolute eternity with them in the pan.  (30 minutes.)

Enjoy!

Almond Meal Pancakes with Cherry Coulis

There have been periods of excellent nutrition habits in my life, and periods of less than excellent nutrition habits.  The part I like about waves of sound nutrition is that each time, a few more favorites fit into my overall repertoire.  Almond meal pancakes are one of those additions.  No matter how decadent my habits are at any time, pulling this recipe out always makes me feel like royalty.  It is so very tasty. (And so very good for you.)

Some notes regarding this recipe:

-          Sometimes I buy prepared almond meal.  More often, in an attempt to be frugal, I make my own.  To do so, whir blanched almonds with an immersion blender. (Or blender-blender.)  Enjoy cleaning up the mess. J  The finished product is nice either way.  With prepared almond meal, it tastes more like normal pancakes.  With home-made meal, it has bits of larger almonds that make it more rustic.

-          I don’t always add the full amount of sweetener.  And I always use honey as sweetener.  You can reduce the amount you need by adding large amounts of cinnamon. (Start at 2 tbsp and go up from there.)

-          The original recipe called for ¼ tsp salt.  I found that way too much.  You may find that you want to use the full amount.

Without any further ado:

Almond Meal Pancakes With Cherry Coulis

1 cup almond meal
2 eggs
¼ cup water
2 tbsp oil
2-3 shakes of salt
1 tbsp sweetener
2 tbsp cinnamon

Mix ingredients together and cook, by ¼ cup of batter, as regular pancakes.
This makes 6 pancakes.

Cherry Coulis

1 cup frozen tart cherries
2 tbsp honey
¼ cup water

Place all ingredients in saucepan.  When cherries are starting to soften, whirr with immersion blender.  Bring to a simmer, and reduce sauce – about 10 minutes.
Serve 2 tbsp over each pancake.  A dash of coconut milk is a nice addition.