New Year, new school. Wow, this week has been busy. The boys have settled miraculously into their new habitat and I can feel the relief flowing through my body.
My favorite comment this week was from Melissa, a reader who said, “It’s hard, but before you know it, they will adjust and be just fine. Kids are so resilient! It’s probably harder on mom. :-)” Well, yes, Melissa, I couldn’t have said it better myself and the smiley face was much appreciated. Seriously, you cheered me up when I needed it! As did so many of the other comments I received.
To celebrate making it through this week, I found it only appropriate to create a candy recipe, this being of course my favorite category of recipe and possibly my favorite food group. Yes, for some of us, candy is a food group.
Orange Chocolate Coconut Clusters
Ingredients
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- 1 cup almonds, toasted then coarsely chopped
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, melt the chocolate over very low heat
- Stir in the orange extract
- Allow the nuts and coconut to cool, 10-15 minutes, then stir them into the melted chocolate
- Drop by heaping tablespoonful onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet
- Allow to cool
- If need be (as in it's too hot in your kitchen for these to set) transfer clusters to a plate and cool in freezer
- Serve
I think these clusters would be great with any type of nut. You could also try substituting some orange zest (in an amount of your choosing) in place of the orange extract. I think that would be delicious.
Since it is October I have started to think about Halloween treats. I am looking for something fun (no fruit rolls), organic and not too sweet. Do any of you have good store bought well wrapped (yes for trick or treating safety) ideas for Halloween candy? If you do, please drop me a line in the comment section below. I do have something in mind and will do a post on it, though want to collect others ideas before I get going.
Lisa says
I’m an avid reader of your website (love it) from Australia and have made many of your recipes and have had much success. I am looking for a christmas cake and pudding recipe, using perhaps almond flour and/or coconut flour. Do you have any you would share?
Thanks in anticipation!
Andrea says
Wow, those look so good! Orange is tied with raspberry as my favorite flavor pairing with chocolate.
Christianne says
Since these clusters look so mouthwatering, I immediately made them here too. (I totally agree that candy is a food group Elana. Chocolate is simply an essential nutrient) I made some adjustments since I neither had orange essence or almonds. Mine contained hazelnuts and lemon zest. Very fresh and exciting! Next time, I will also experiment a little with cranberries, or freshly grated ginger (one of my favorite spices because it is so warming). Thanks Elana for your inspiration! have a lovely sunday!
xox Christianne
PS I tried photographing the clusters, but allhough they taste great, they don’t look as good as yours… I need more practice, what a pity! :-)
Jen says
Hey, these sound great! i did find some great lollipops for my girls the other day at the health food store. a good option for halloween. they’re “college farm organic naturepops” and they’re as good as those crappy ones they give away at restaurants!
Elana says
Yes, another Elana. I affectionately call you my doppelganger in CO (same name, brunette, Jewish, gluten-free, mid-thirties, etc.)! I am a culinary specialist in Morris County, NJ. As a graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute for Food and Health, I too work with people who have food allergies/restrictions or those just looking for a whole foods/healthier way to eat- everything from food tours to one-one-one instruction and restaurant consulting to corporate seminars.
Relatively new to your site, I love your easy presentation format, recipes and stories. Here’s a great suggestion for HALLOWEEN candy- YUMMY EARTH organic lollipops and drops. They are flavorful, fun, COMPLETELY allergy-free and easily found (Whole Foods, Toy’s R us, Babies R’ us, Linens N Things, Vitamin Shoppe, Costco.com, HSN, etc.) The company owners are TERRIFIC people who truly care about/monitor all that goes into their products and welcome feedback from their customers; I LOVE to support them!
Also, as a fellow fan of Pappadini pasta, I thought you (and your readers) might be interested in helping to SAVE their products. Help keep it available to us all by signing this petition. The link is: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-papadini-lentil-pasta.html
Thanks for all your great work!
Anina says
Dear Elana, I am so happy for you that it went so well with the boys this week. These clusters look absolutely delicious, I will definitely try to make them this week. Thank you again for all the wonderful recipes that you share with us !
Sandra says
Thanks for all your wonderful recipes. I am not celiac, but on a friend’s recommendation, started to do as little wheat as possible and do lots more organic. The asthmas I mysteriously developed 2 yrs. ago just about went away. I suspect something to do with GMO and processing.
Suggestion for Halloween candy, although not cheap, is the bars made my KIND. Cheaper through Amazon. Also saw some organic lollipops, but haven’t tried them. Another option is small toys, such as offered by Oriental Trading Co. and they are offering many sales now.
Kelly says
Hi – long time reader, first time comment. I love your blog :) You’ve inspired me to take up GF baking again after many, many expensive failures. So thanks for that.
As for Halloween I think Amy’s is offering new fruit gummies in Halloween shapes in individual baggies for kids so that might work. Hope you find something yummy!
Lauren says
Mmm, those clusters look wonderful!
Alison @ Wholesome Goodness says
These would be perfect to give away as little gifts around the holidays! Maybe I’ll make some for my mother-in-law’s visit next month too. She loves orange and chocolate together, and she (like me) has trouble with grains. Thanks for the great idea!