malteser hot chocolate.
dietary: dairy-free, gluten-free, low FODMAP, SIBO friendly, vegan, vegetarian, keto.
prep time: 2 minutes.
cooking time: 2 minutes.
My best mate likes to call this “Phoebe’s special drink” which, I think, sounds a little bit suspect. Not something you’d want a stranger offering your kids. But, it is my drink and it tastes pretty special.
So, I can’t technically have chocolate. I mean, I wouldn’t be able to have anything below 70% and even then, I need to keep it to 2 squares (but, obviously, that’s not always realistic). And since I’ve not been able to eat chocolate, all I want to do is eat chocolate. That’s when I made this lovely warm bev. One of the key ingredients is cacao.
Cacao has many health benefits, including (1):
lowering blood pressure,
lowering blood sugar - this improves symptoms of type-2 diabetes and reduces the risk of diabetes,
improving brain function and blood flow,
improving mood and symptoms of depression, and
its prebiotic, meaning it feeds the good bacteria in your belly.
Cacao is unrefined cocoa. It’s a lot better for you as it hasn't been processed and has higher antioxidant properties. And, it’s pronounced KA-COW, not cocoa. Which is a meaningless fact. But I thought I’d throw it in there.
Another key ingredient is: maca powder.
I love maca powder. It adds a sort of caramel-y, malty taste. And, I think, makes it a bit sweeter. Giving your hot chocolate a malteser-like taste.
Maca powder also has its own health benefits, including (2):
boosting mood,
increasing energy,
improving libido,
improving fertility in men, and
even relieves symptoms of menopause.
So, this sexy little bev is perfect for a cosy night in with yourself, or another (or a few, who are we to judge) chocolate lovers.
ingredients:
1 tablespoon of raw cacao
1/2 teaspoon maca powder
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
1/6 teaspoon of nutmeg (alternatively - instead of adding separately, you can also use 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin spice which is a combo of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg)
1 tablespoon of coconut powder
1 cup of hazelnut milk (you can’t go wrong with hazelnut and chocolate. But feel free to use any vegetable milk. I would go for oat, almond, coconut or tigernut which you can buy in bulk on Amazon or at any health food stores)
a pinch of good quality salt (Himalayan or sea salt)
optional (for a sweeter pallet): 1 teaspoon of coconut sugar, raw honey or maple syrup (if you’re FODMAP or SIBO use maple syrup).
Add all your dry ingredients into a mug of your choice and mix it up a little (make sure it’s all mixed in and there are no chunky bits).
Next, add your milk, stir and pop into the microwave for 2-minutes.
Enjoy! Feel free to top with some coconut cream if you’re feeling particularly boujie.
references:
WebMD. (n.d.). Health Benefits of Cacao Powder. (accessed 25 August 2022).
Hrefna Palsdottir, MS (2022). ‘9 Benefits of Maca Root (and Potential Side Effects)’, Healthline, 6 January (accessed 25 August 2022)