Hi everyone!
Happy Friday 🙂
Rosanna Davison here, with my very first recipe blog for Sue. I’m so thrilled to be contributing to SoSueMe on a weekly basis, with recipes designed to give you glowing skin, glossy hair, strong nails and a lean body for summer. Hurrah!
I hope you enjoy my recipes and tips as much as I love creating them for you 🙂 All of my food is plant-based and bursting with nutrients to fill you with energy and even boost your mood and sleep.
Having completed my nutrition qualification at CNM (Naturopathy.ie) two years ago, I began working with a number of regular private clients. I developed food and lifestyle plans for them, tailor-made to their individual health history and current health complaints. They might have anything from chronic acne, to digestive difficulties, to fertility problems and some simply wanted to drop a few pounds for an upcoming wedding or holiday. Nothing like the thought of peeling on a bikini to motivate us!!
Clients began asking me to help them shop for healthy foods and then cook meals with them, which is where my passion for preparing healthy meals, snacks, smoothies and sweet treats began. I love nothing more than seeing people improve their health, energy levels and quality of life. It makes the years of study, essays and exams totally worthwhile!
So for my first recipe for SoSueMe readers, I wanted to do something really tasty and simple to prepare, but that would support health and fitness goals for summer. And these Vanilla Caramel Protein Blondies were born!
Based on raw, whole foods, they make an amazing post-workout snack to help boost energy levels and repair torn muscle fibres. They’re based on one of my favourite flavours in the world… vanilla caramel! But this version is totally free from refined sugar and unhealthy fats.
For the caramel, I used dates, smooth almond butter and vanilla extract. The dates are a great source of fibre, energy and vitamin A, which is essential for a glowing complexion. The almond butter is packed with protein, heart-healthy fats and vitamin E for baby smooth skin.
Once the caramel sauce is whizzed up in the blender, you fold in a few scoops of protein powder. I used vanilla flavour Sunwarrior (sunwarrior.com) protein powder, because it’s vegan, raw and doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients. Plus it tastes really good too and I use it in a lot of smoothies!
I simple rolled the ‘dough’ into balls and then rolled the balls around in desiccated coconut flakes. I absolutely love coconut, but no problem if you’re not a coconut fan. You could used chia seeds or sesame seeds instead, or simple enjoy them plain. They taste just as yummy!
I hope you love these protein blondies as much as I do.
Chat to you next week!
R xx
Vanilla Caramel Protein Blondies
Makes 12
Ingredients:
150g (1 cup) of dates, pitted and soaked in warm water for 20 minutes to soften
2 tbsp smooth almond butter
1 tbsp pure maple syrup or honey (optional to add extra sweetness)
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 scoops of vanilla Sunwarrior protein powder (available in any good health food shop)
desiccated coconut, to decorate
Instructions:
Drain the dates well once they’re soft and place in the blender or food processor along with the almond butter, maple syrup/honey and vanilla extract.
Blend until a smooth, creamy sauce forms. You may need to use 2-3 tablespoons of warm water to help it blend.
Transfer the caramel to a large mixing bowl and fold in the protein powder.
Once a thick dough has formed, use the palm of your hand to shape it into individual balls.
Pour the coconut into a separate bowl and roll each ball around in it until fully coated.
Chill the blondies in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before serving.
Notes: Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
