New Find: Amore di Mona chocolate

Anything chocolate peaks my interest. So, when I was browsing an online supplier for specialty foods, Caramela with Crunchy Coffee Beans peaked my interest. On a whim, I ordered a bar from Peanut Free Planet.

I am so glad I did! The texture is like a chewie chocolate bar but with a rich taste like a gourmet chocolate bar would be. The coffee taste was very present but it was a good texture and taste.

What's amazing about this company?

The side of the box says it all. What's not on the box is even more impressive. This company is vegan, gluten free, low-glycemic friendly, raw, organic, and non-GMO certified. 

The best part about all this is that the chocolate is top-8 allergy friendly and is making an effort to accommodate those with food allergies. 

The box contained three squares of chocolate caramel (like) goodness. I shared it with my family who, for the most part, liked it too.

Amore di Mona Carmela with Crunchy Chocolate Beans rocked my world! I'd like to try their other chocolates soon. 

Where to buy?

Whole Foods (in store)

Amazon

Peanut free Planet

Dundee Candy

For a complete list of where to buy Amore di Mona chocolate, please visit their website.

I give Amore di Mona two thumbs way up. 

Cherry quinoa crisp

This recipe just happened and on the first try too. It's a great fall addition instead of a pie and keeps well. Please let me know if you have any questions. I am happy to help!  

Cherry Quinoa crisp

Makes one 8x8 or 8x11 pan

Ingredients

2 bags frozen cherries-thawed

2 sticks butter or margarine

3/4 cup brown rice flour

1/2 cup quinoa flakes

3-4 Tablespoons water

2 teaspoons cinammon

1 teaspoon ginger

1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400* and grease pan. 

Pour thawed cherries in the greased pan. Cherries can be cold yet thawed.

Melt butter or margarine and add rice flour, quinoa flakes, salt, and spices. Stir until combined. If mixture is not stir-able, add water. Mixture will be like a sand texture. Place mixture on top of cherries. Be sure cherries are mostly covered. Cook for 45-60 minutes. 

To save, cover with foil or plastic wrap. Crisp keeps without refrigeration. 

Top 8 free chocolate chip muffins

I've finally done it. Well, in my world. ;) I've been working on this recipe for a while and it is finally perfected. I recommend foil cupcake/muffin liners and all is right with the world!

Top 8 free Chocolate Chip muffins
Makes 24 muffins

3 cups brown rice flour
1 cup corn starch
2 1/2tsp baking soda
1/2tsp salt 2 cups sugar
3/4 cup oil (I used canola)
1/2 cup applesauce
1 1/4 cup water
2tsp vanilla
2Tbs apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup chocolate chips (used Enjoy Life's)
3tsp guar gum (can use xanthan)

Pre-heat oven to 350* and line tins with liners.

In a large bowl, combine flour, starch, soda, salt, guar gum, and sugar. Wisk until combined and fine. You could sift but I just wisk. Add applesauce and stir. Add in water and then oil and stir to combine. Add vinegar and stir. Stir to combine all ingredients. Fold in chocolate chips and vanilla.

Using a spoon or measuring cup, pour batter into lined tins. If using a measuring cup, each tin has a little less than 1/4 cup of batter in each one. Bake for 22-25 minutes. Allow to cool and store in an airtight container.