Recipes

Chickpea Chocolate Cake (gluten-free)


What can you make with one can of chickpeas? A delicious gluten-free chickpea chocolate cake! I raved about this cake in my recent nutrition trends interview on BreakfastTV Toronto. Super easy and tastes amazing!

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 (19 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
4 eggs
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 T icing sugar (for dusting)

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line with parchment paper.
2. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt chocolate chips for about 2 minutes, stirring every 20 seconds after the first minute, until chocolate is melted and smooth. If you have a powerful microwave, set the power at 50%.
3. Combine the beans and eggs in the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Add the sugar and baking powder. Pulse to blend.
4. Pour in the melted chocolate and blend until smooth. Transfer batter to the prepared cake pan.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes. Invert the cake onto a serving plate and dust with icing sugar just before serving.

Recipe Source: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/149550/garbanzo-bean-chocolate-cake-gluten-free/

Comments/Review: Instead of a food processor, I simply used a Magic Bullet to blend the chickpeas and eggs (half of the chickpeas with 2 eggs at a time). I then poured everything into a large bowl and added the sugar, baking powder and melted chocolate. When I first made this recipe, my then 7 year old daughter declared gleefully, “I’m so lucky. I got the piece of cake without any bean in it!” Fooled her!

Get ready for International Year of Pulses!

The United Nations has declared 2016 as International Year of Pulses!

Dried peas, beans, lentils and chickpeas are examples of pulses. Packed with nutrition, pulses are are a super sources of fibre, iron and protein.

Research from the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that eating 1 serving (3/4 cup) of pulses three times a week lowered the “bad” LDL cholesterol by 5%. Because pulses are a low Glycemic Index food, they cause a slower rise in blood sugar – that’s good news for people with diabetes or anyone watching their blood sugar levels.

Here are some of my favourite pulse recipes which I’ve collected over the years! Enjoy!

Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie (made with lentils)

Black Bean Veggie Burgers

Red Lentil & Vegetable Dal

Chickpea Chocolate Cake (you’ve got to try this!)

Book Review: The Essential Cancer Treatment Nutrition Guide & Cookbook

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, are a cancer survivor, or are a caregiver to someone with cancer, this new book is a must-have resource.

Author and fellow dietitian Jean LaMantia shares easy-to-read information about cancer basics and conventional cancer therapies. Her glossary of cancer terms, guide to preparing for cancer therapy, and tips for managing the side effects of cancer treatments are all welcome knowledge for anyone who may be feeling overwhelmed with the fear, pain and worry of cancer.

LaMantia knows what she’s talking about. She herself is a cancer survivor and was a key member of the support team for her father’s journey with cancer. Specializing in cancer care, LaMantia is also a program leader for Wellspring, a national cancer support agency.

The book has been very well researched and includes a detailed reference section. Oncologist Dr. Neil Berinstein assisted in interpreting the latest evidence-based information about cancer and nutrition.

Understanding how cancer can impact appetite and nutritional needs, LaMantia offers sample menus for dealing with common side effects. To make meal planning easier, all of the 150 recipes are identified as suitable for dealing with various side effects such as constipation, dehydration, sore mouth, low appetite, taste aversions and taste alterations. High fibre, high protein and risk reduction recipes are also noted. The array of FAQs and survivor wisdom quotes throughout the book add extra insight and helpful advice.

LaMantia’s hope is that her book will make your cancer journey a little easier. With her personal insights, detailed information and sound professional advice, I believe it will.