Chickpea dessert tamales!

I'm not going to make you wait for this recipe. You don't have time, because it's good and I think you might enjoy trying it.

I'll just say, I have plenty of "flops" when I make up my own recipes and food combos. But this one, NOT a flop. Just yummyness.

just a peanut butter-banana filled chickpea dessert tamale

Chickpea Dessert Tamale

Ingredients:
1 can chickpeas
3 tbsp oil (i used olive)
1/8 tsp bkg powder
1/2 c. sugar (I used white--this was plenty. Less could be used.)
1/4 c. oats

filling: Banana & peanut butter

Combine all (but filling) ingredients in a food processor and process until there are no chunks.
Spread the paste out on a cut sheet of foil*.

Add topping in the middle.

Wrap the foil around so the edges of the paste will cover the filling (or else you will get an equally delicious tamale, that looks a little sadder...such as the one on the right 2 photos down)

Steam for 20-30 minutes.
Unwrap to see the tasty creations!

Enjoy promptly. I prefer them warm!

Notes:

*I used foil because I did not have any corn husks or banana leaves on hand. I'm sure either of these would provide a more authentic tamale, and may add a good flavor.

-I think these would be delicious with many other fillings such as apples and cinnamon or some sort of chocolate. I will likely try other flavors in the future and will post to share how they turn out.

-This recipe should make about 8 good sized tamales at ~220 cal a piece (this includes the pb & banana)

Avocado Chocolate Cherry Pudding

Last night I watched Avengers with my family. It's the second time I've watched it, but I've basically always been into superheroes. They're great, aren't they? In fact, I wrote a post about them at an older blog of mine, which I used as a bit of a journal rather than a food blog. They're awesome. And I believe we're made with a desire for a particular Superhero to save us.

Also, we do have some super pudding here.

Now, I'm not usually a fan of pudding. I think it's a weird texture, loaded with sugar, and I don't really trust it. But this I can handle! Because I know exactly what went into it. Banana, chocolate, cherries, avocado...some of my favorite things! And it was plenty sweet without added sugar! I love that :)

It's super. 
And super easy.

Black Widow Chocolate Cherry Pudding

Makes 1 Serving (approx. 400 calories)

Ingredients:

-1/2 banana

-1/2 avocado

-1 tsp cocoa powder

-1 tbsp chocolate protein powder (I used vegan Shakeology chocolate powder)

-1/2 cup milk

-1-3 ice cubes

-3/4 cup pitted sweet cherries

-1/4 cup gently crushed flake cereal

Directions:

Put everything in blender,  apart from some of the cherries and the cereal (I saved most of them, blending only 2 or 3).  Then pour into a bowl. It makes quite a bit, so make sure your bowl isn't too tiny. Top with crushed cereal and cherries. Sprinkle with more cocoa powder if desired. Enjoy!

Notes:

-This would probably be DELICIOUS frozen. I might try it sometime.
-If you want it to be colder or don't want to use ice, make sure that your banana, cherries, and avocado are all refridgerator-cold to start with. A frozen banana might be good for this.


I just added this to the "about me" section, but I want to mention that I've given up on food photography. There are many reasons. First, it's difficult and expensive, but mostly time-consuming. I appreciate the efforts that people put into food photography, but it's starting to creep me out. It's just food. It's meant to be eaten.
I know we want to take it in and remember it forever, but it sounds a bit gluttonous to me. That's why I'm not going to spend my time trying to get perfect pictures. I'll upload pictures so you can get an idea of what my recipes turn out like, but I'm not interested in you simply "gawking" at my food pictures.
My advice: 
Take a glance at my photos so you can get an idea of how to make the recipe in your own creative way, but don't stare longingly at them. I'll help you out here--they won't be that pretty.
Make your own pretty food. Enjoy it, share it, then eat it and move on with life. I believe we'll all be better off this way. :)