Easy cacao bliss balls

I love chocolate! I have no self control when it's in my house, so I try not to buy it. And without having much time for exercise at the moment I can't have too much.

Sometimes a girl needs to satisfy that craving. So here's a simple and healthy 'choc' treat that is packed full of flavour. It's the perfect afternoon slump pick me up for busy Mammas. This recipe was inspired by super fit and healthy Mamma Willy B Mum.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups/300g almonds 
• 1 cup/80g shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup / 30g raw cacao powder
• 1/2 cup maple syrup or rice malt syrup
• 2 tbs organic coconut oil
• Pinch Himalayan pink salt

Here's what you need to do:

1. Place all ingredients into the TM bowl (or a food processor)
2. Mix for about 10 seconds on speed 7 
3. Roll into small balls  
4. You can then roll them in chia seeds or shredded coconut 
5. Place in the fridge for a few hours to set

My daughter absolutely loves these. Especially when I roll them in hundreds & Thousands for a special treat! 

Make your own gluten free flour in the Thermomix

Gluten free flour mix made in the Thermomix is so easy and it will save you money too! 

Making your own gluten free flour is really simple with the Thermomix. It's much cheaper than buying it pre-made and doesn't contain all those nasty preservatives and mystery ingredients some brands use.

This recipe was inspired by Thank Heaven's gluten free flour mix. It's my go to site for making flour or finding substitutes when I am missing an ingredient for a recipe. You'll find a few different mixes on her sight and a great summary of the various gluten free flour options and their substitutes.

You can easily double the recipe to makes a big batch if you do a lot of baking. Take note, it does not all fit in the Thermomix bowl at once so my kitchen gets a bit messy when I mix big batches.

My chef trained hubby is always appalled at the mess I make when I'm in the kitchen. He is very methodical and uses only what's required. I on the other hand tend to pull out every appliance I think I may need, along with multiple bowls, measuring cups, jugs and various stirring/scraping contraptions. Plus I go about things the long and hard way, but that's all part of the learning process isn't it!

Here's what you'll need:

• 100 g white rice
• 50 g buckwheat (or substitute with dry chickpeas)
• 50 g sorghum flour
• 100 g potato starch
• 200 g tapioca pearls or flour
• 5 g guar gum

Instructions:

1. Add rice and buckwheat to the thermomix bowl and mill for 1 min, speed 9
2. Add Tapioca pearls if you don't have flour and mill for 1 minute, speed 9.
3. Let the Thermomix cool down, it can get quite warm when milling. Take this opportunity to check that the grains are a fine flour consistency, if not mill for another 30 secs, speed 9. 
4. Add remaining ingredients and mix for 10 secs speed 6

This recipe is great for pancakes, muffins, veggie fritters and biscuits. I used this one to make my favourite banana bread on the weekend which I am trying to convert to a Thermomix recipe. It's getting there, but haven't quite nailed it in the Thermie yet. 

Please share your favourite gluten free flour recipes and the amazing goods you bake with it. I'm always looking for healthy and simple ideas. Happy baking! 

Our Sunday morning Mecca

I love our little home in the inner west, it's close to the city but just far enough away to avoid the feeling of being stuck in a perpetual rat race.

We have everything we need at our finger tips. Amazing coffee, parks, shops, kids activities and community right here on our doorstep.

One of our favourite weekly rituals is the Marrickville Organic Markets. Held at the Addison Road Community Centre, it's become our Sunday morning Mecca. 

Every Sunday morning Ava asks me if we will see the ponies and get a face painting. Even this week, while on holiday in Melbourne, she asked for a face painting!

I recently caught up with the lovely Jane from Marrickville Sundays to answer 5 questions about why we love the super child friendly organic markets. Checkout the blog here, it's a must read for all Inner Westies with kids and market lovers alike!