Coconut Flour Bread

I ran out of ideas for breakfasts. Can't get baby spinach, can't get kale, S didn't buy bananas...

Can't do a smoothie. Well, technically speaking, I can with other fruits and Greek Yogurt but I need my greens... Yes, I'm choosy like that. I then thought of taking some bread but I only have white bread which in my opinion is a waste for me since there's not as much fibre as compared to wholemeal ones. I don't want to buy those outside ones as I do not know what they add into it.

Bake some myself? I would if I had some wholemeal flour.

So many obstacles and excuses. I ended up baking for myself, a Coconut Flour Bread!

Easy, lots of fibre and ingredients are ready!

How's the taste? Dry and bland. I personally slab on butter generously when I want to have a slice.

I added lots of shredded coconut for that added texture.

Here's the recipe:

3/4 cup coconut flour

1 cup coconut oil 

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 tsp baking powder (I don't have any available so I used baking soda)

6 x eggs (Yup! You read that right!)

1 cup shredded coconut

Recipe says to bake at 175 deg C for 40 minutes. That's too long for me and my oven sucks so I've got to make some changes. I baked it at 170 deg C for 20 minutes and 130 deg C for 10 minutes. I then switched the oven off and leave it still inside for 5 - 10 minutes. I ended up with sides burnt but no burnt taste. I baked it with a piece of aluminium foil on top and only remove for the last 10 minutes of baking.

Recipe calls for coconut oil, ghee or melted butter. I used coconut oil as I'm doing a coconut bread and everything coconut is like coconut to the max! Ha ha... Besides, I've coconut oil available.

A slice if pretty filling. I cut them into 8 slices and each slice gives me 3.75 g of fibre.

The smell of coconut - Lovely!

I would have it with a cup of tea so it goes down my throat better.

I've read that some ladies added 1 cup water to it before baking so it's lighter and less dense.

I might try that out next time. This loaf will last me till this Sun... ^^

I wish you an enjoyable mid-week!

Dreamy C

What Do You Do When You Are Stressed Up???

I was just wondering what YOU do when you're STRESSED UP?

Do you munch on junk like choc, candies, cupcakes?

Do you turn to calming tea for help?

Do you go out and take a breather?

Do you play some games on your mobile when you get some time?
Do you go for an exercise?

Feeling stressed is a reality and today, I'd like to share with you, what I do when I'm stressed up.

I take a cupcake like the one I bought yesterday! See...

From Left to Right: Peppermint Choc (taste alright), Red Velvet, Kinda Bueno (taste better than Peppermint Choc but not as good as Red Velvet)

Can you tell this is my favorite? Ha ha...

Instead of eating junk, I thought of eating healthier 'junk'.

I give you... Labneh! It's actually strained yoghurt.

Let's get down to how it's done shall we? ^^

First, you mix 500g Greek Yogurt with 1/2 tsp salt. This time round, I use plain yogurt instead.
Change it to sugar if you lean more towards sweet stuff!
I'm more of a savory person. =)

Put the sieve on top of a bowl.
Bear in mind that it has to be a deep bowl so there's space for the liquid to drip down.

Next, lay some cheesecloth/muslin over your sieve or whatever container you have which has holes so the liquid can drip down. I couldn't get cheesecloth or muslin. So, I'm using Bamboo Cotton. It can be purchased from Spotlight.

Now, scoop the mixed yogurt onto your cloth.

Tie it up with a string or whatever which can be used to secure it.

Place this set up into the fridge for 5 - 6 hours, longer if you like firmer Labneh.
You got to do a few trials to get the consistency you prefer. ^^

The liquid (dripped out) is called whey which you can use to make bread, cakes etc. When the recipe calls for some liquid, use this whey. I read that it's both nice and nutritious!

Now back to the Labneh...

After 5 - 6 hours or even overnight, untie the string and there you have your plain Labneh!

Roll them into small little round balls and store in a jar filled with olive oil and a few sprigs of thyme.
In my case, it's thyme leaves as I don't have fresh ones at point of making.
Leave it in the olive oil for at least a day.

When you want to consume, you can mix the Labneh with some pistachios, parsley and the olive oil from the jar.
Eat it with bread or chips.
Yumz...

What I would do better next time is to leave it hanging so the liquid can better drip down as I find them still a little too soft for my liking despite leaving it dripping for more than 8 hours.

I got to know about Labneh from my cousin by the way.
I've to thank her for that!

Go try it out and eat it the next time you have some cravings or feeling stressed.
I can't wait to try mine...
I wish you a GREAT day ahead!

Dreamy C

Homemade Granola Bars

I just placed an order from iHerb and I'm so looking forward to its arrival!

I'm going to embark on a journey of healthy eating.

Why? No, I'm not trying to lose weight. Constipation is the motivation.

For a period of time, I've been going to the toilet once a day.

Recently, I only went once every 3 to 4 days.

My tum tum was bloated up, frustrations set in, discomfort experienced. This is no joke!

Hence, I placed an order from iHerb after watching some YouTube videos on meal prep, healthy eating etc. Coconut Oil is just one of the items I put in my cart. Yogi tea is another one.

I'm a tea drinker and I'm really looking forward to try Yogi tea.

Without further ado, I shall share a recipe on Apricot & Mango Granola Bar!

First, preheat your oven to 170 deg C.

Mix 1/2 cup almond (chopped) and 2 1/2 cups oats (I used instant oats but the recipe actually calls for old fashioned oats).

Bake this dry mixture in the over for 5 mins.

When 5 mins is up, mix it up and bake for another 3 - 5 mins.

For the wet mixture, combine 1/4 cup butter, 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.

Put this mixture in a pot over the stove on medium fire.

Keep stirring until everything is dissolved.

When you are done preparing the wet mixture, the dry mixture is no longer hot.

Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture.

Combine well.

Then add in whatever dried fruits you want.

The recipe calls for 1/2 cup dried cranberries and 1/4 cup chocolate chip.

For me, I did 1/2 cup dried apricot and 1/2 cup dried mango, all chopped up.

Combine well.

Now, transfer the entire mixture into a pan after using a piece of butter to coat the entire pan 

and press it down, hard.

Once it's nicely spread out, wet your hands (don't have it dripping with water) and press the mixture firmly down onto the pan.

It should look like this!

Next, put it into the fridge (remember to cover it) for 2 hours.

After 2 hours, take it out. Remove it from the pan and cut.

Voila! The end result!

I tasted it and it's really yummy...

Not as sweet as the ones purchased from the supermarket.

Being able to make these myself, I'm really happy as I know what's in my granola bars.

I no longer have to eat store bought ones which are loaded with sugar.

I hope you give this a try. You'll be happier now that you're eating healthier.

Once my parcel from iHerb arrives, I'm going to make a Shredded Coconut & Chocolate Chip version! Yummy...

Have a great Sunday peeps!

Dreamy C