This recipe is a remix of the nutmeg ladu fudge which came onto the blog a couple weeks ago. I lovedd that fudge – I was so so impressed by the flavor, consistency – and the nutritional value. Chickpea fudge is definitely something which you can eat as ‘fuel’ not just as a treat.
I decided to try out a chocolate version of the nutmeg fudge. And it is absolutely the bomb!
Oh and by the way…
Kid test – passed
Man test – passed
Grandpa test – passed
Dad test – passed
Can I have a round of applause please? It is not often the one can create a sweet good which is as nutritious as this one – and pass all of those testers. : P With flying colors too I might add.
Ok, let’s talk a little bit about this yummy chickpea fudge is so delicious, and then we can get to the recipe.
SO What’s in this Chickpea Fudge?
The main components of this chickpea fudge are of course chickpeas, coconut oil, dates and ground pecan nuts. All of these are things which one can and should eat on a semi regular basis.
Health Benefits of Chickpeas
Chickpeas are a wonderful pulse to sneak into sweet goods because their flavor works well with sweeter things, and they are excellent at aiding the body to regulate blood sugar levels. So no sugar spikes when chickpeas are in the mix!
Chickpeas contain high amounts of fibre which means that they aid digestion, and also increase levels of satiety. Meaning you will be fuller for longer after eating a food containing chickpeas. Making sure that your snacks have a high satiety score can lead to better weight management, as you will feel fuller for longer on less. Great formula for shedding a couple pounds!
Chickpeas are also a great source of plant based protein. If you are vegetarian or vegan, then chickpeas can be a valuable component of your diet.
Besides containing high levels of fibre and protein, chickpeas are also rich in manganese, folate, copper, phosphorus, iron, magnesium and zinc. They also slightly lower concentrations of thiamin, vitamin B6, selenium, calcium, vitamin K and riboflavin.
Health Benefits of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has been making headlines over the last few years for a its health benefits. But I was shocked to read on Dr Axe, that there are over 1 500 published studies ‘proving coconut oil to be one of the healthiest foods on the planet’. I went and checked this, because you can’t believe everything you read. However there are literally 1 775 published studies on NCBI alone. Needless to say, I did not have time to check through each study – but I do not think science would invest so much time and money investigating a food which did not have some seriously significant elements.
Coconut Oil is Not Readily Stored by the Body as Fat –
It is converted to energy straight away
It appears that one of the top reasons why coconut oil is so good for our bodies lies in the type of fat that it is made up of. coconut oil is made up of over 90 percent short chain healthy saturated fat. This fat can be broken down by the body in 3 steps. Unlike other plant derived fats which are broken down in 26 stages!
What this means ultimately is that the fat in coconut oil can be taken up by the body and converted to energy immediately. Short chain fats are processed in the liver, which means pretty much a one way street to energy production. There is much less chance of coconut oil being stored in fat cells within the body, because it can so easily be converted to energy. Whereas other plant based fats can take so long to convert that they can end up being stored along the way.
Coconut Oil is a Brain Food
Another interesting facet to these rare short chain healthy fats is that they are literally brain food, and help with the production of serotonin!
Coconut Oil is an Immune Booster
Coconut oil is also antimicrobial and antifungal. This is great for balancing the gut flora and keeping things like Candida overgrowths at bay. Because 80% of the immune system is made up of the gut bacteria, this will boost your immune system as well.
Health Benefits of Dates
Dates are full of fibre, which makes them nature’s perfect sweet for us. This is because while dates have a high sugar content, the fibre which they contain ensures that the release of this sugar into our systems is very slow. Which makes dates a very low GI sweetener!
Dates are also rich in the following vitamins and mineral:
- Iron
- Potassium
- B vitamins
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin K
- Copper
- Magnesium
- Manganese
Health Benefits of Pecan Nuts
I think we all know by now that nuts are super healthy – but I was shocked to find out that pecan nuts contain more than 19 different vitamins and minerals, and Shape even wrote an article with the title ‘Pop and Pecan not a Pill – Can Pecans Replace Your Multivitamin’.
Pecans are also a source of more healthy fats, some fibre and protein.
How to Make this Chickpea Fudge
Before I leave you with the recipe – I just wanted to say don’t let all this reading about nutritional powerhouse ingredients make you think the recipe is all difficult and complicated.
IT IS THE EASIEST THING EVER.
So go make these. And tell me what you think.
x
Chocolate Chickpea Fudge
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Ingredients
- 300 grams cooked/canned chickpeas
- 200 ml melted coconut oil
- 150 grams chopped dates
- 1 cup ground or powdered pecan nuts
- 4 heaped tablespoons cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons vanilla essence
- pinch salt
Instructions
- If you have not done so already, melt the coconut oil at a low heat until it is in liquid form.
- Then combine all ingredients in a food processor, or use a stick blender, and process until smooth. If you have an electric coffee grinder, you can do the pecan nuts in this to get them really fine, and then add them to the food processor with the other ingredients.
- Once processed fully, spoon into a small baking pan and flatten down with a spoon.
- Place pan in the freezer and allow to stiffen.
- Cut into squares, place in an airtight container to store. Keep in the freezer between eating.
- Enjoy!
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