Gooey Flourless Fudge Brownies {with Video}

Okay, I'll keep this short and sweet.

You guys want brownies. Grain free, dairy free, nut free brownies. At least I'm pretty sure you do, because when I posted the above photo on my Facebook page it got 181 shares, 1014 likes, and 229 comments!

So here it is. Your weekend treat. Enjoy :D

[Note: This is a Thermomix recipe - see end of page for tips for making this without a Thermomix.]





Gooey Flourless Fudge Brownies

- 200g dark, dairy free chocolate (I use either Green & Black's 70% cocoa chocolate which 'may contain traces of dairy', or Loving Earth dark chocolate which is completely dairy free)
- 130g raw Medjool dates, pitted
- 180g organic cold-pressed coconut oil
- 30g coconut flour
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp sea salt

Preheat oven to 190C. Line a 22cm square baking dish with baking paper. I use 'If You Care' baking paper, which is non-toxic.

Place the chocolate (broken into pieces) into the mixing bowl and mill for 10 sec/speed 9.

Add the dates to the bowl and chop 15 sec/speed 10.

Add the coconut oil and cook 5 mins/60C/speed 2.

Add remaining ingredients and mix 20 sec/speed 8. Scrape down lid and sides of bowl and mix another 10 sec/speed 6.

Scrape mixture into a lined, square baking dish. Bake in preheated 190C oven for 18-20 mins. Be careful not to overcook or they won't be gooey! Just until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Cool, cut into small squares, and refrigerate until cold.

Of course, you probably won't be able to wait, but they really do taste so much more AMAZING when they're cold and gooey and fudgey! Trust me.

Can be dusted with some raw cacao powder, or if you want to be really decadent, top with this dairy free ganache, or some dairy free dulce de leche!

PS It might be best to 'share the love' and invite a friend over for a cuppa and brownies... these are RICH, so don't eat them all yourself! Lol!!

Have a great weekend xx

This one was quite popular with the taste testers!!

* Note: If you don't have a Thermomix, you'll need to finely chop the chocolate and dates (in a food processor if you have one) and melt together over a double boiler with the coconut oil, whisking until smooth. Then stir in the remaining ingredients with a wooden spoon. 

Weekly Highlights & a Video!

Hey everyone, how's your week been? Just hanging in there, waiting for Friday? Or was it HAPPY?

Here's a few things that made me happy this week...

Watching my daughter enjoy the neighbourhood tree swing on a misty Monday morning {Video here}...

This pretty, layered, chocolate coconut chia pudding... Recipe here.

A big box of Natural Raw C Coconut Water arriving on my doorstep - thanks Raw C! [gifted]

(My fave - no sweeteners or nasties added like lots of others! 

Check it out - it's on special this week for 25% off!)

Oh, and this chia pudding too... leave out the cacao, add vanilla and cinnamon, and top with fresh pineapple, passionfruit, goji berries and macadamias, with a dash of pure maple syrup. Such a lovely breakfast.

(based on this recipe)

 And cooking, recipe testing, and sharing my experiments with some cute taste testers!

My kids keep me humble... "Mum, what IS this???"

Thanks Miss C. ;)

 All good fun. So here's the big news on my Facebook page - this week we hit 40,000 likes, and I promised to post a video as a big THANK YOU!! So here it is, my Green Chocolate Smoothie video... keeping it real, forgetting ingredients and embarrassing my kids as usual. Woo hoo!





I hope you enjoyed that, because tomorrow I'll be posting the Gooey Flourless Fudge Brownies video too. :D

Here's a few more highlights from my Facebook page lately ~ enjoy!


FOOD

Quinoa Salad: I love how much this meal makes! And so yum.

Introducing the 'Other Half' to Healthy Eating: How does your other half react? Funny story here!

Cooking on a Budget: Tips for cutting costs on your grocery bill.

Lamb Shanks: Delicious ideas for cooking lamb shanks.

Healthy Muesli Bars: Recipes that aren't full of sugar here.

Yoghurt Help! A reader asked here for help with her yoghurt, and then later in the week I found this blog post by Nourished Kitchen on 'Why Your Yoghurt Isn't Working Out'.

Dinner Party: What would you make for an allergy friendly dinner party? Question asked by a friend when I was going to their place for dinner ;)

Leftover Ganache? What's that??

Paleo/Primal Breakfast Ideas for Kids: Bit of a spirited discussion here, with lots of ideas!

Snack Ideas for Pregnant Mums: Busy mums that are expecting a new arrival need good, nourishing snacks! Ideas here.

Foolproof Mayonnaise! The lovely ThermoSisters share their mayo recipe.

Travelling Meals: What to make in your Thermomix while travelling, and what pantry staples to take with you.

Healthy Party Food: Amazing party food ideas from Hot Pink Chilli!!

Chocolate Mud Cakes: Really yummy recipes.

HEALTH

Have any of you, like me, found that the Thermomix revolutionised the way you eat? Carla wrote to ask this question. She says, "I'm keen to hear if anyone has purchased a Thermomix with the intention to make (nearly) everything from scratch, but found it was not revolutionary. The reason I ask is that I'm becoming quite obsessed with them, and I'm determined that it would change our busy family's culinary existence. However, I'm wondering if I'm over-estimating the impact it would have."

I know for me it has made my 'back to basics, from scratch, allergy friendly' cooking so much easier. I thought I already cooked that way, but now I cook MUCH more 'from scratch' than before. I love having the power of choosing what is in my food. Here's some things I use my Thermomix for:

- grinding grains and making wheat free and gluten free breads;
- making dairy free milks and creams and custards;
- whizzing up juices and fresh fruit ice-creams and sorbets;
- baking cakes and desserts with wholesome ingredients and natural sweeteners;
- making nut butters, sauces and spreads without additives;
- and for quick, healthy meals.

Now, a lot of you would say 'but you can do most of those things without a Thermomix'. Sure, if you want to be in the kitchen all day. I'm a busy mum, homeschooling four kids and running my own business and a blog and writing a book. I really don't have time to be in the kitchen ALL day, which is what I was doing before I had a Thermomix. It's funny, back then I had a girl come in to help with the kids and housework, I didn't have a blog or book or homeschooling to deal with, and I STILL couldn't keep up! I know it's partly that my kids have gotten older and take less time in a lot of ways, but it's also that I don't have to hand grind my grains, hand knead my bread, hand stir every custard and milk and soup and meal on the stovetop, hand chop all the ingredients, and I'm eating better so have more energy.

What about you? Has the Thermomix helped you to make nearly everything from scratch? Has it revolutionised the way you cook and eat?

Check out how Quirky Cooking readers answered Carla's question here.

(If you want to know more of my story and why I cook the way I do, see my 'About Me' page on my blog.)

Fussy eating & sensory issues: A reader sent a message to say, "I have a child with sensory issues and probably mildly aspergers. Very very fussy eater and plain white food lover. I have tried everything with him to broaden his taste buds but he just slathers everything he does eat in tomato sauce. He is almost 10 and it is becoming a big issue." Read the discussion here.

Eczema: This has to be one of the most commented on posts ever on my page - how to get rid of eczema on a 17 week old baby. Very interesting comments.

Natural constipation remedies here.

Top 10 reasons coconut oil is so good for you!

Anxiety & Gut Healing: An issue close to my heart. Really big discussion here.

A random photo of me and Ruth, a friend's pet python :D

BITS & PIECES

I blogged about what my crazy mind looks like at midnight

I found out that Ford is giving me a brand new Ford Territory Titanium to test drive for 6 weeks (plus $400 worth of fuel) so I can let you all know what I think

We had a laugh over my son's question about how 'drinking milk' was discovered

The Thermomix Recipe Community has a facelift

I redecorated part of my dining room with some pretty pieces from Fixed Abode in Yungaburra, FNQ

I decide to run for Prime Minister, handing out free Coconut Caramel Custard to sway the voters... :D (Ok, that was just a joke, but you never know - it COULD work!!)

And I was the recipient of a random act of kindness that blew my mind! So lovely.

Oh, and Miss C proves she is related to me...

Ha ha!! 

Have a great weekend guys, and I'll be back soon with a new video and recipe for Gooey Flourless Fudge Brownies - yippeee!

Now. A Peep into my Crazy Mind at Midnight.

I should really be in bed, it's midnight. But I've been chatting with a friend, and then I made the mistake of looking at my messages before bed, and I saw this fun idea being shared around by Veggie Mama and Live it. Do it., and I impulsively jotted down what I'm doing right now, too. 

So here it is, a peep into my crazy mind at midnight, when I really should be sleeping. 

Making: A quirky cookbook!

Cooking: Mexican black bean chilli mole (Well, not right now, but that's what I cooked after dinner. I know, weird to cook dinner after dinner.)

Drinking: Black tea with honey

Reading: Old journals full of handwritten quotes and poems, with a friend

Wanting: To catch up on all the questions on my Facebook page - I'm soooo far behind!

Looking: Forward to bed

Playing: This little game instead of doing my work (or going to bed)

Wasting: Time looking at photos and chatting on Instagram

Sewing: Nothing now, a ripped apron was the last thing I sewed (badly)

Wishing: I could see friends and family that are far away

Enjoying: Coconut berry yoghurt with strawberries and chocolate fudge cake for a late night snack ;)

Waiting: For the weekend (not that I have less work on the weekend, but somehow it still feels different)

Liking: Having a friend here to help me out with the cooking, washing up, kids and schoolwork

Wondering: If I'll ever get this book finished

Loving: My precious children

Hoping: That tomorrow I can get more done

Marvelling: At the gorgeous weather, and how blessed I am to live in this beautiful place

Needing: Sleep

Smelling: Flowers (there's 3 vases full of fresh flowers in this room - blessed!)

Wearing: Long flowing skirt, shirt, sandals, and a long necklace

Following: A crazy conversation on FB about what the speed of darkness is... (ummm, yeah, I started it - ha ha!)

Noticing: It's midnight and I still haven't prepared for tomorrow's Skype interview

Knowing: I really should be in bed

Thinking: I'm going to have bags under my eyes tomorrow for all to see on the internet! Eek!

Feeling: Happy to be up when everyone else is in bed, because this is my quiet thinking time, and I love it

Bookmarking: A favourite quote in an old book, with a scrap of paper - yep, an old fashioned bookmark!

Opening: An email from my 92 year old Grandmother who lives in Texas (she wanted to tell me how much she loves my blog and that my food looks luscious, and how much her mother loved to cook and entertain and loved visitors no matter what time of the day or night they dropped in, and how much she misses her sister)

Giggling: At the look on my friend's face when she caught me dancing in the kitchen (doesn't everyone dance in the kitchen when they think no one's watching?)

Feeling: Grateful for the many blessings in my life

What about you? Want to join in with your 'Now'?

Link to your blog or page if you post a 'Now' post, or feel free to share what you're thinking in the comments below. :)

Weekly Highlights & a Coconut Water Giveaway!

Don't you love my new bowl? 

My friend just brought it back from Venice for me - it's hand blown Murano glass! Gorgeous, huh. (And the gooey fudge brownies are pretty amazing too, but more on that another day.)

Okay, it's time for an update on what's been happening over on the 

Quirky Cooking Facebook Page!

Yeah, I know, I missed a week... my bad. Been hiding in my recipe testing cave.

But at least there's chocolate in there. 

And pizza. And pie. And pancakes. So no need to feel sorry for me. :)

Now if only I can focus long enough to get this blog post done... :D

Now, where was I? Oh yes, blogging...

Ok, the Weekly Highlights. 

But wait, there's a giveaway!! Want to hear about that first? Of course you do. So here it is:

I have 2 cases of 12 x 330ml cartons of Raw C Coconut Water to give away!

Want some?

I love coconut water in my smoothies and juices, or just on it's own, cold from the fridge. It's a great way to stay hydrated! Known as 'Nature's Gatorade', Raw C is popular sports drink alternative because it naturally contains electrolytes, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium. 

Raw C is 100% Pure Coconut Water - no sugar, preservatives or concentrates, and no funny stuff.

Check it out here!

[Updated, due to such a great response!!]

To WIN some Natural Raw C Coconut Water, all you have to do is comment on this post, 

mentioning Raw C coconut water in your comment. The prize winner will be drawn on Wednesday 7th August at 5pm, via Random.org, and the winner notified. 

Winner's name will be posted on this page. 

(Competition open to Australian residents only)

And the winners are...

Kym - 1st Prize: 2 cases of 12 x 330ml Raw C Coconut Water

Healthy SA - 2nd Prize: 1 case of 12 x 330ml Raw C Coconut Water
Shaarn - 3rd Prize: 1 case of 12 x 330ml Raw C Coconut Water

How about you pop by the Natural Raw C Coconut Water Facebook page and say Hi? 

They'd love to hear from you!

[Note: If you are reading this on a mobile device, you will need to swap over to the web version to be able to comment. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click 'view web version'.]

I do have another giveaway to share with you, but will let you know about that one in another day or two. Now onto the Weekly Highlights - there's lots to share!

FOOD...

Local produce... do you know what all this is?

Cooking to impress! Need to cook for a dinner party? Here's some quick and easy dishes that will knock the socks off your guests...

What's in your green smoothie today? I love coconut water in mine, plus lots of other goodies... Readers share their favourites here.

Quick snacks: What snacks do you make to take with you when you only have 20 minutes before you need to dash out the door? Here's some of mine, and lots of reader's ideas.

Bake & freeze snacks: What about snacks you can freeze for when you need them?

New Thermomix? How to stock your pantry: Readers share their tips for what to stock up on when expecting your new Thermie to arrive! (Excitement!!) :D

Vegetable spiralizers: Wondering if you should get one, what to use it for, what brand to buy? Answers here.

How to get turmeric stains out: Does your Thermomix lid, seal and butterfly look kind of odd from cooking with turmeric? Try these handy tips to remove the stain!

Quick & easy lunches: A reader who was 'falling back into bad habits' asks for ideas for quick, healthy lunches, and wow, so many great suggestions!

Grain free & dairy free lunchbox ideas: It's not always easy to think outside the box ;) but here's some tips.

Egg free breakfast ideas for little ones: Karen's 10 mth old has been diagnosed with an egg allergy, and she's stuck for new breakfast ideas. Here's lots of suggestions, including my egg-free pancake/waffle recipe.

Leftover pulp from making almond milk: Every wondered what to do with it? Here's some ideas.
And here's another one I spotted on Instagram - Superfood Nut Sprinkle.

Leftover ganache: What do you do with your leftover ganache? (Is there even such a thing??)

Matt Stone & Thermomix: Love the look of this raw cauliflower 'cous cous' salad Matt whipped up on the Morning Show - did you see it?

Friday night pizza: What's your favourite toppings?

Mandarine recipes: Are they dropping off your trees? Here's some ideas so they won't go to waste.

Naturally sweetened icings: Some ideas for icing cakes without refined icing sugar.

Pink party! What to feed a bunch of 6 yr old girls for a healthy pink party? Yummy ideas!

Diabetic friendly recipes: Thermomix friendly suggestions for diabetic recipes.

Breakfast ideas for a toddler with excema: Dairy & wheat free suggestions for an 8 month old.

What to make with egg whites? If you had 5 egg whites in the fridge, what would you make?


HEALTH & OTHER GOOD ADVICE...

What is the one small change you could make that would have the biggest impact on your health? Clare of Checks & Spots asks this question of 13 'bright sparks' who have a unique perspective on health, wellness and nutrition. (Including me!) :D

How to fatten pigs, and people: I found this article VERY interesting!!

Join a bulk food buying co-op! How? and Where?

How to boost iron levels naturally: A mum who is 30 weeks pregnant with low iron levels asks for advice - lots of great suggestions!

How to search on my page: I quite often have people puzzled about this, so if this is you, here's how... Just type into the search box the ingredient or subject you're looking for, and lots of links will come up that you can click on. Or you can go to the Recipe Index on the left of the 'Quirky Cooking' logo and click on that to get a drop down list of the labels you can search through. :)

What would you do? A reader asks for advice for how to get her family and friends to stop bringing junk food over as it's affecting her child's behaviour. Lots of discussion on this one!!!

How to get lots of housework done! Set a timer and FOCUS! Do you do this?

Do you love kitchen shops? What would you spend a $40 gift voucher on?


NEWS...

For those of you up here in FNQ (or visiting FNQ in August!), we'd love for you to join us for The Organic Experience food tour! Paddock to plate, meet the growers, tour the beautiful Atherton Tablelands, and gain a deeper appreciation for the way food connects our community, wellbeing and environment. I'll be cooking lunch with local produce on the 24th, it'll be heaps of fun and I hope to see you there! 

And that's about it for now... have a great week, and may it include homemade bread and lots of books. And chocolate. 

Jo xx

Miss C in her happy place - bread and books. :)

What could be better?