Homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (aka Nutella)

I grew up absolutely loving Nutella.  It was something that we only had as an occasional treat since back then you had to get it at an import store.  Now I have the pleasure of having little ones who love it too.  

And who wouldn't?  Nuts.  Chocolate.  Um, YUM!

Best part, I can make it at home with just a handful of ingredients. 

Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (aka Nutella)

2 cups raw hazelnuts

3 tbsp raw coconut oil

2 tbsp walnut oil

2 tbsp baking cocoa

2-4 tbsp honey (sweeten to your preference)

½ tsp sea salt

Put all ingredients in your blender or food processor.  Start on a low speed and work your way up to med-high.  Blend until smooth. 

I used a blend of coconut and walnut oil because it helped to keep a somewhat nutty flavor.  If I would have used all coconut oil, it would have taken it too far from the Nutella flavor.

I started with 3 tbsp of coconut oil and it was really thick, but if you added a few ingredients, it could be rolled into balls for an energetic tasty treat.  Ideas would be coconut flakes, dried cranberries, nut pieces.  Be creative.

I added the 2 tbsp of walnut oil to make it smoother and more nutty.  At this consistency, you could easily use this as frosting for a cake.  I like to stay away from refined sugars and most frosting doesn’t offer much for nutrition and since this is mostly nuts and coconut oil, I feel like it would be a healthy way to add some nutrition to a cake.  

Enjoy, and come back and tell me how you use it.

Jessica Wyman is the Author of Girlfriends Organic Kitchen.  Available now for only $9.95!
Founder of Slim & Vibrant Nutrition School, currently running individual programs.

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Groovy Guacamole

Love last weeks Sexy Spicy Salsa?  Then you are going to love this week's Groovy Guacamole, named this because it's groovy how easy it is to make.  It's also super healthy as avocados are packed with nutrients and healthy fats.

Let's get this party started!

It's about ready!

 Ingredients

• 3 ripe Avocados
• 1 medium Onion
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 Red Bell Pepper
• Cilantro
• 1-2 Jalapenos (depending on how hot you want it)
• Salt 
•   Garlic powder

Directions

Blend avocados, onion and lime juice in the Vitamix.  Chop the bell pepper and cilantro to the size you like.  Stir all ingredients together in a bowl and add salt and garlic powder to taste.

Enjoy...

 xoxo,

 

First Recipe and "Official" post!

Walnut Cream

Lindsay and I were very excited for our first recipe for the blog. This was Lindsay's first time using a Vitamix.  Hers is still being shipped.  Plus we both had special events this weekend we were preparing food for.  Linsday is hosting a bridal shower, and I am cooking for mine & Lee's 15th anniversary.  

Funny thing, Lindsay and I are both using a walnut cream recipe, but there are two variations and they are both delicious.  One is sweet and the other is savory.

Now for the 1st recipe!

Lindsay chose to make a sweet flavored walnut cream to use as a fruit dip.  So happy to be able to taste test the recipe.  Yummy!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw organic walnuts
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tbsp agave nectar
• 1/2 dropper of stevia berry flavor extract

Directions:  

Soak walnuts for 1-4 hrs.  I feel like 1.5-2 hrs is the magic timeframe.  Any longer than 4 hrs and they get slimy.  (Yuck!)  

Rinse the soaked walnuts and toss in the Vitamix.  Add the water, agave nectar and stevia berry extract.  

Put the lid on the Vitamix, turn on the unit and start blending at level 1.  As everything is blending, slowly increase the speed of the Vitamix until you get to 10 and then click it over to High.  Just let it blend until creamy.  You might need to add more water to get to your desired consistency.

 
Variation: I wanted to make this same base recipe, but savory so that it could be used as a spread on a sandwich for a vegetarian protein source.

Ingredients:

·         1 cup walnuts

·         ½ cup water

·         1 clove of garlic

·         1 tbsp Italian spice blend

Follow the same directions as above.  It was amazing!!

This pic is just for fun!  We are really excited to share more recipes, fun and pictures in the future.