Chocolate Shake

Smooth, thick & 'ice'creamy, chocolately, and oh so yummy! oh and can't forget... HEALTHY!

Ingredients:
(makes 1)

• 1 frozen banana
• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond/soy milk
• 1 tablespoon raw cocoa powder or carob (more if you like it extra chocolately!)
• 1/2 tablespoon raw peanut butter 
• 1 teaspoon gluten free vanilla extract
• Sprinkling of carob or vegan choc flakes (optional)

Directions:

1. Place the frozen banana in a food processor, and pulse until it resembles frozen soft serve ice cream. (don't whizz it up so much it melts).
2. Add all the other ingredients, and whizz until fully combined. It's that simple! If you want it even thicker add an extra half tablespoon peanut butter).
3. Pour into a chilled glass, pop in a straw (or a spoon might be more appropriate really), sprinkle on a few carob or vegan chocolate flakes and serve. :)

To make it a thick and 'ice'creamy vanilla shake, leave out the cocoa powder and add an extra half teaspoon of vanilla extract. If you need to make it a tiny bit sweeter... a teaspoon agave nectar or sweetened vanilla almond/soy milk will do the trick!

I got super excited today, as the rock star of an actress, Dawn Olivieri, asked me on twitter if I knew how to make a vegan malt shake. I love that people are getting as excited as me over these recipes. So here goes... If you want a malted milk shake, use this recipe, omitting the peanut butter and using 1 1/2 tablespoons barley malt syrup or powder extract instead. This does contain gluten though... so it's not suitable for celiacs, or for people with a gluten allergy.... sorry! But celiacs can still enjoy shake without the malt.... it still tastes reallly really good! :)

Gym bunnies could also add a scoop of vegan/ gluten free protein powder for a yummy pre- or post- workout snack!

Hot Cocoa

My room-mate has been snuggled up on our couch sick for two days, so to cheer her up I made her some of my 'not-as-naughty' vegan & gluten free Hot Cocoa. This recipe serves 1, but I doubled it so I could have some too!  This recipe is quite chocolatey, if you don't like it quite so rich, you can leave out some of the chocolate chips or use less cocoa.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons vegan chocolate chips
• 1/2 teaspoon gluten free vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon agave nectar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Directions

1. Place the almond milk & cocoa powder in a small saucepan & warm over a low/medium heat, stirring constantly.
2. Once warm, add the chocolate chips, continuously whisking until melted.
3. Add the vanilla extract, agave nectar & optional cinnamon, stir until fully combined & the chocolate mix is steaming.
4. Pour into your favourite mug, and serve. :)

To make this yummy 'not-as-naughty' treat extra indulgent, you can serve with vegan, gluten free marshmallows & topped with coconut cream.