Congo Bars
Recipe from Living Raw Food by Sarma Melngailis (Harper Collins, 2009); recipe makes 64 bars
These classic chocolate- fudge- and- coconut brownies, known as Congo Bars, are insanely good, and much better than any butter, sugar, and flour version. I think these rich little bars might be my favorite indulgence. Maybe it’s because I love raisins and nuts in chocolate, and the flaky coconut layer on top seems to melt in my mouth.
equipment
High- speed blender, food processor
Fudge Base
4 cups walnuts, preferably soaked and dehydrated
4 cups pecans, preferably soaked and dehydrated
3 cups Chocolate sauce (recipe below), chilled
1 cup black raisins
1 cup dried shredded coconut
1/2 cup maple syrup powder
1/2 cup coconut butter/oil, warmed to liquefy
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
In a food processor, process 2 cups of the walnuts and 2 cups of the pecans until they just begin to release their oils. Transfer to a mixing bowl. Repeat with the remaining 2 cups of walnuts and 2 cups of pecans.
Add the Chocolate Sauce, raisins, coconut, maple powder, coconut butter/oil, and salt, and mix until thoroughly combined.
Transfer the mixture to a parchment- lined sheet pan and spread into an even layer.
Place in the refrigerator to chill and set.
Vanilla Coconut topping
2 cups young coconut meat (if you are unable to get fresh Young Thai Coconuts you can substitute Artisana Coconut Cream)
1/4 cup agave nectar
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup coconut butter/oil, melted
4 cups dried shredded coconut
In a high- speed blender, blend the coconut meat, agave nectar, vanilla, and salt until very smooth and shiny. With the blender running, add the coconut butter/oil and continue blending until fully emulsified. Transfer the mixture to a bowl.
Stir 2 cups shredded coconut into the mixture and spread it in an even layer onto the chilled fudge base. Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded coconut over the blended layer.
Place the pan in the refrigerator to chill and set, about 30 minutes or more.
Cut into 64 bars, cutting lengthwise into 4 pieces and crosswise into 16 pieces (or cut into any size you wish). Store the finished bars in the refrigerator.
Chocolate Sauce; makes about 3 cups; (use in fudge base recipe above)
1 1/2 cups raw cocoa powder
1 3/4 cups maple syrup or agave nectar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt
3 tablespoons coconut butter/oil, warmed to liquefy
Combine all the ingredients except the coconut butter/oil in a blender. With the blender running, add the coconut butter/oil and continue blending to emulsify.
Store the syrup in a covered container in the refrigerator. Before serving, place it in the dehydrator to warm the sauce so that it’s liquid enough to pour. If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can also place the container in a warm water bath to liquefy it. (If the room is warm, simply let the sauce sit at room temperature.)
2 tablespoons hulled hemp seed
1 bag of frozen blue berries
2.5 cups pure water
1 teaspoon super foods of choice
5 leafs of kale/lettuce or dandelion
Directions Put all ingredients in a high speed blender. Add enough water so that all ingredients are covered. Blend well. You may want to add a little more water if you like your smoothiethinner. This is a great way to add ( wild edibles ) greens to your raw food diet. You won't even notice it. My 6 year old daughter and 1 year old son absolutely love it. My not raw husband loves it. I can easily give my daughter three of these drinks a day. Her friends love them too. And I feel great that I give my kids a smoothie full of important minerals, vitamins, healthy omega three fats, fiber, protein, enzymes, that is hydrating and easy to digest!