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.
Donna says
Sounds yummy! Why not toast off the nuts and coconut then put them in a bowl with the chocolate and let the heat from the nuts melt the chocolate for you?
Diba says
Could you use powdered cocao instead of the chocolate chunks, and if so, how much? Thank you!
Karen says
What kind of chocolate chunks would you recommend? Any dark chocolate you can recommend? Thanks!
Judy says
More chocolate and orange, please! I’m obsessed.
mikaya says
A bit expensive but healthy and delicious wrapped treat for the kiddos at school: http://www.abesmarket.com/delights-brownie-jar.html
Karen says
Fantastic recipe ill give it a try, though my cooking skills are pretty limited!
harga perkebunan says
However when heated, palm oil is 86 BDT which is loaded palm oil
list with antioxidants and beta-carotene, Vitamin A includes retinol.
Plantation land areas are still developing. This is considered a versatile oil ingredient.
Sophie says
Hello, I will try this recipe and maybe a version with Lemon as my mother is absolutely crazy about chocoalte and lemon zest.
Thanks for all the great recipes,
Jeff says
Such a yummy looking treat! I’ve had chocolates similar to these but not made this way. Definitely want to try this version – thanks!
Abrie says
I have these babies in the freezer right now…and I just finished whipping up some of your Fudge Babies earlier tonight. I have a feeling my boyfriend, friends and coworkers are going to LOVE them.
I have been reading your blog for the past 10 months and it has really helped me and my boyfriend through our new grain-free lifestyle. If it weren’t for your silver dollar pancakes, cinnamon bun muffins and chocolate chip cookies, we probably would have given up on this lifestyle long ago. Of course, we don’t indulge in these treats everyday, but it’s so great to have a delicious option at hand. Your recipes also really help when trying to introduce our friends to a Paleo/Primal lifestyle.
Your latest book is awesome by the way! Have a Happy Halloween!