I just have to be honest. I’m a total sucker for buttery, brown sugary goodness, like butter tarts, and pecan squares. I mean, really, who isn’t? If you say you aren’t you’re a liar, and you know it. Well you no longer have to live a lie-filled, deprived life as you try to make healthier choices, or just impress people with your resilience by not choosing those buttery, brown sugar goodies.
This week’s recipe hits the spot. It hits it so hard you actually have to do a double take, recount your steps, and make sure all the ingredients you put in were, in fact, healthy. The young coconut meat and coconut oil gives these the buttery texture you can only find in the forbidden section of the bakery. So indulge (but not too much, because I ate about six big pieces really fast and kind of regretted it afterwards. Yes, there can be too much a good thing, even with healthy food).
Deliciousness ensues…
Step one open coconut and drink all the water inside. I know, right? So good. Now you’re ready to go. (I guess you could save it for a smoothie or something, but I say go for the immediate gratification!)
Scrape the meat out of the coconut using a spoon. I know, it’s weird. Kind of gelatinous. Taste a piece though, it’s quite delicious. Put the coconut meat, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt in a blender, and blend until smooth. Add the coconut oil and blend. Mix everything together in a large bowl, and spread evenly, about ¼” thick on a parchment-lined dehydrator tray.
Dehydrate at 110° until dry enough to flip over, about 6-10 hours. Flip over onto unlined tray (just with the mesh screening) and dehydrate for another 4-6 hours, until crispy enough to cut into squares. Slide onto a cutting board, and cut into cracker-sized squares (it’s all relative I suppose). Place the crackers back onto the dehydrator tray, and dry for another 4-6 hours, until desired crispyness. Eat 6 pieces really fast (or not) and store in an airtight container in the cupboard – or on the counter, in plain eye view, where you may or may not be tempted into eating another 6 pieces.
Just a quick note about young coconuts – mature coconuts, that come in most grocery stores in the brown shell, do not substitute. You can get young coconuts (they come covered in a white husk) at most asian markets, whole food groceries stores (like Choices), or if you’re in the Kootenays (like me!) you can actually get them at the Canadian Super Store in Nelson, or order them at Ferreros in Trail! Every time I go to Kelowna, I stop at Choices and clean them out of their young coconuts. They last for quite a while in the fridge, so don’t be afraid to stock up – plus they’re so good (and good for you) I doubt you’ll be able to keep them around for very long.
Teralee Trommeshauser is a BCRPA certified fitness trainer, and owner of West-Kootenay based business, Natural Edge Health & Fitness Coaching. This article originally appeared on her blog. Reprinted with the author’s kind permission.
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