malteser hot chocolate.


dietary: dairy-free, gluten-free, low FODMAP, SIBO friendly, vegan, vegetarian, keto.

prep time: 2 minutes.

cooking time: 2 minutes.

third-eye-tattoo-hand-holding-cacao-whipped-coconut-hot-chocolate

My best mate likes to call this “Phoebe’s special drink” which, I think, sounds a little bit suspect. Not something you’d want a stranger offering your kids. But, it is my drink and it tastes pretty special.

So, I can’t technically have chocolate. I mean, I wouldn’t be able to have anything below 70% and even then, I need to keep it to 2 squares (but, obviously, that’s not always realistic). And since I’ve not been able to eat chocolate, all I want to do is eat chocolate. That’s when I made this lovely warm bev. One of the key ingredients is cacao.

silver-spoon-powdered-cacao

Cacao has many health benefits, including (1):

  • lowering blood pressure,

  • lowering blood sugar - this improves symptoms of type-2 diabetes and reduces the risk of diabetes,

  • improving brain function and blood flow,

  • improving mood and symptoms of depression, and

  • its prebiotic, meaning it feeds the good bacteria in your belly.

Cacao is unrefined cocoa. It’s a lot better for you as it hasn't been processed and has higher antioxidant properties. And, it’s pronounced KA-COW, not cocoa. Which is a meaningless fact. But I thought I’d throw it in there.

Another key ingredient is: maca powder.

I love maca powder. It adds a sort of caramel-y, malty taste. And, I think, makes it a bit sweeter. Giving your hot chocolate a malteser-like taste.

Maca powder also has its own health benefits, including (2):

  • boosting mood,

  • increasing energy,

  • improving libido,

  • improving fertility in men, and

  • even relieves symptoms of menopause.

sexy-chocolate-raspberry-dripping

So, this sexy little bev is perfect for a cosy night in with yourself, or another (or a few, who are we to judge) chocolate lovers.


ingredients:

1 tablespoon of raw cacao

1/2 teaspoon maca powder

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ginger powder

1/6 teaspoon of nutmeg (alternatively - instead of adding separately, you can also use 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin spice which is a combo of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg)

1 tablespoon of coconut powder

1 cup of hazelnut milk (you can’t go wrong with hazelnut and chocolate. But feel free to use any vegetable milk. I would go for oat, almond, coconut or tigernut which you can buy in bulk on Amazon or at any health food stores)

a pinch of good quality salt (Himalayan or sea salt)

optional (for a sweeter pallet): 1 teaspoon of coconut sugar, raw honey or maple syrup (if you’re FODMAP or SIBO use maple syrup).


  • Add all your dry ingredients into a mug of your choice and mix it up a little (make sure it’s all mixed in and there are no chunky bits).

  • Next, add your milk, stir and pop into the microwave for 2-minutes.

  • Enjoy! Feel free to top with some coconut cream if you’re feeling particularly boujie.


references:

  1. WebMD. (n.d.). Health Benefits of Cacao Powder. (accessed 25 August 2022).

  2. Hrefna Palsdottir, MS (2022). ‘9 Benefits of Maca Root (and Potential Side Effects)’, Healthline, 6 January (accessed 25 August 2022)

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