Free From Friday: Gluten free muffins with beetroot and cacao

As a child we’re taught that you only get dessert once you’ve eaten all your veggies. Now I want to share a recipe with you that packs all that veggie goodness into a tasty teatime treat.

These gluten free muffins have a similar texture to a brownie, and will definitely hit that chocolate craving without the need for processed junk, random ingredients and the whole load of sugar that comes with many chocolate baked goods.

Without all these extras, chocolate is actually really healthy. It’s rich in antioxidants that help neutralise free radicals, protecting your cells against everything from premature ageing to cancer.

Read more: 5 surprising anti-ageing diet rules you need to know

I used to eat the packaged, pre-boiled beetroot but raw beetroot is a far tastier option, even when you cook it. It’s an excellent source of folate, has been found to lower blood pressure and for those low on energy, it’s a great boost for stamina.

If you like your teatime treats a little sweeter, drizzle on some honey.

Ingredients
400g almond flour
150g raw cacao nibs
3 x medium sized raw beetroots
3 x eggs
100ml freshly squeezed orange juice
100ml freshly made almond milk
3 x tablespoons olive oil
4 x tablespoons honey
2 x teaspoons baking soda
1 x teaspoon salt

Method
1. Wash the beetroot to remove any dirt. Peel the skins and remove the tail and stalk. Chop the beetroot into quarters.

2. Place the beetroot on a baking tray, drizzle olive oil over it and roast at 190 degrees C for 1h 30 minutes. Turn the beetroot half way through.

3. Once roasted, allow it to cool.

4. Once cool, blend it to create a puree.

5. Grind the cacao nibs in a high speed blender until it’s in powder form. A coffee grinder can be used but due to the size, you may need to fill it up a few times.

6. Mix all the ingredients and fill up a 12 cup muffin tray.

7. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes at 180 degrees C.

8. Along to cool for 20 minutes before eating.

Will you be giving Michelle’s cacao beet gluten free muffins a go this weekend? Tweet us @healthymag, tell us on Facebook or tag us (@healthymagdaily) in your Instagram snaps!

Whether you’re struggling with a nagging condition like eczema or IBS or in need of some inspiration to live a blissful dairy, gluten, wheat and sugar-free life, Michelle can help. If you’d like to have a chat, check out her website for all the details www.everythinggood.co.uk

Summary

Recipe Name

Gluten free muffins with beetroot and cacao

Author Name

Michelle Lynette

Published On

2015-06-01