Monday, January 23, 2012

In The Raw: Walnut & Date Brownies with Chipotle Ganache



Ladies and gentlemen, today I present to you brownies, made without butter.  Someone circle this date on your calendar.  Check to see that hell hasn't frozen over too.  I mean, who knew something so good could contain no butter?  And it's full of things like figs and dates too.  Don't be frightened, friends.  I would never present anything to you that I wasn't head over heels for, and these little beauties have sent me a-tumbling.  And no I haven't been on skates or skis, or any other sharp objects that propel me forward.




While a butter-free treat, these brownies also contain no gluten.  I know this makes the Celiacs, and those who have to bake for them, do a little dance of joy.  My brother is on a very strict gluten free diet, as he is afflicted with Celiac.  Given he turned a year older a few days ago, these brownies were made specially for him (I know, I'm like the best sister ever.)  When he was a babe, my bro was very, very sick, and Celiac was not commonly diagnosed some 30 years ago, especially in rural Saskatchewan.  Mom tells us stories how they would go from doctor to doctor, because he was rapidly losing weight - every mother's worst nightmare.  Finally it came down between two diagnoses - Celiac or Cystic Fibrosis.  Thank God it was the former, and with a strict gluten free diet, my bro has thrived.  He's a cool dude who I knew would appreciate my attempt at making some freaky-ass brownies.  "Ren, these have got some kick!" was how he put it.  He liked.  Sister happy :) 




Another nutritional bonus:  these babies have no white sugar. The absolutely gorgeous Medjool date brings the sweet love; the walnut the texture; the cocoa the richness; the chipotle powder and cinnamon bring the spice and the fig brings the fun.  Bust out your food processors and go to town.  I added a touch of agave to help bind things together, and that worked really well.  Pressed into a pan and slathered with ganache, they really do set up like "real" brownies.  No baking required.  Nifty, hey?  Assembly completed in under 15 minutes, giving you time to chill out while your brownies errr... chill.  Okay, that was bad, but I'm not scratching it out.




Let me back up and yak about the ganache.  It's simply hot whipping cream meets chunks of dark chocolate.  Stir it up until well combined and pour over the brownies.  You could add the chipotle powder to the ganache, or not.  Or you could omit it in the brownie and add it only to the ganache.  Or add it to both!  It's all up to you, and how much heat you want your brownie to have. If chipotle powder is not in your spice cabinet (um, get some!), just add a little cayenne pepper.  I adore the whole chocolate and chipotle as a flavour combo thing.  Remember that chili?  That was good stuff. (Vegan friends, click here for an alternative to the creamy ganache that I used.  If I would have had coconut oil in the house, I would have tried it out too.  Let me know how it is!)




Whether you are on a gluten free diet, or into raw foods, or vegan or just crazy about finding new and exciting ways to eat brownies, I think you should give these a shot.  High in fibre, Omega 3s, and loaded with dark chocolate, I'm thinking these are kinda good for me, too...almost like an uptown power bar, minus the uptown price.  I baked without butter and hell has not frozen over.  Woo hoo!  What in the world could be next?
 



Walnut & Date Brownies with Chiptole Ganache

2 cups walnut pieces
1 cup cocoa
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp chipotle powder
pinch coarse salt
2 cups Medjool dates, pitted (Do not substitute these for the drier, smaller ones)
1/2 cup dried figs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp Agave nectar (or honey)

Ganache
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup plus a bit more, chopped dark chocolate
1/4 tsp chipotle powder
1 tbsp Agave nectar (or honey)

In a food processor, add the walnuts and process until fine.  Add the cocoa, and process more.  Scrape the sides down.  Add the chipotle, cinnamon and salt; process until combined.  Add the dates and figs, 1/2 cup at a time, scraping after each addition.  Add the vanilla and agave. If it seems too dry, add a touch more agave.  Press into a 8x8 inch square pan.  Set aside while you make the ganache:  In a small bowl, combine the chocolate, chipotle and agave.  In a small sauce pan, heat the cream until it starts to simmer.  Pour over the chopped chocolate mixture and stir very well. When it is smooth, pour over the brownies, smooth the top and refrigerate for about 50-60 minutes until topping is set.  Cut into small squares and revel in their butter-free, gluten free glory.  Recipe adapted from  Rawmazing.


24 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday to your brother. Those are some of the most wonderful and chewy looking brownies that I've ever seen!

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  2. All those gluten free dieters can rejoice with those babies!!

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  3. Beautiful brownies, Nicole. Love the punchy flavors!

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    1. I'm on crack this morning...RENEE! please forgive me. :)

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  4. If I had just heard about these brownies and not have seen them in all their gorgeousness, I would have totally sneered and called them hippy food. You got me with the chipotle ganache though... not even I, an avowed butter accolyte, could pass these babies up. Good job!

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  5. Thanks all! Jess, too funny! Shelley - the ganache really does make them extra-special delicious!

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  6. Renee, I have to tell you I feel like you posted this for me. I know it was for you little brother, but still;) I too have Celiac and have been trying to eat less refined sugar (I love it, but makes me feel kinda bad.) Lately, I have been living on Medjool dates - all that natural caramelly goodness. Ok I could go on and on about how awesome your brownies look. Really I just want to say... you rock!
    -E

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  7. Thanks so much Erin! This recipe is going to be in heavy rotation around here, that's for sure. Medjool dates are the best!

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  8. interesting.
    I have 2 big container of dates and I have been looking for new recipes to help use them up. I might give these a tyr.

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  9. Rayna - you will love these brownies! Great way to use up the lovely Medjools.

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  10. These look fantastic ! I am saving this recipe. Thank you for sharing:)

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  11. I am just discovering your blog, thanks to Knapkins, this is a beautifull recipe. A raw brownie, who knew?
    Cheers

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  12. Thank you so much Celia and Fugiia. Hope you give them a whirl :)

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  13. These look so good! Do you know what could be substituted for the walnuts, though? My daughter is allergic to all nuts, but thankfully doesn't have celiac.

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  14. yesss this dessert will be amazing. cannot wait to try it

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  15. Wow, these look absolutely amazing! I'm definitely going to be trying them soon. Thanks for the creative idea! Always happy to see a delicious brownie variation.

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  16. how funny! I know 2 people from Saskatchewan!

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  17. Wow, these look incredible. I don't keep do well with refined sugars (and always have dates around to compensate)so these are the perfect brownies for me!

    Mmmm spicy chocolate ganache! They just got better!! Ahhh! So excited.

    Thank you!!

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  18. That is an interesting brownie recipe. I love the chipotle in the chocolate ganache.

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  19. You had me at chipotle.
    Dates and chocolate too. Wow.
    I'm making these right away!

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  20. I found this recipe today and just had to make these right away. I can safely say I will never be making traditional brownies again! What a fantastic way to Appease my sweet tooth and not feel super guilty. I don't have chipotle so I made a ganache type icing with dark chocolate natural peanut butter and low fat plain Greek yogurt. Sooo good! Thank you for the recipe.

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  21. Some of the best brownies I have ever tasted. Ever. Including triple chocolate chip ooey gooey fudge diabetes-in-a-pan brownies. Seriously. I'm already sharing with friends this ah-mazing recipe. And chipotle powder?! Who would have thought! Brownie points (hee hee) for originality! *thumbs up*

    Seriously, great job and thanks a ton for sharing! :D I'm off to buy some figs and dates now heeheehee ;P

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much! Funny, I was just going to whip another batch of these up! Chipotle + chocolate forever!

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