Naturally Nutritious: Apple Delight [Dairy free, Gluten free, Grain free, Sugar free]

I don't have a sweet tooth, so sweet desserts or sweet treats aren't really intriguing or interesting to me...I guess I am odd like that - but what I do without in the form of what others term "decadent", I make up for in savoury treats! However, as I move into maintaining my weight loss, I realise that it is necessary to include the occasional sweeter treat to balance my eating plan and realise that this and similar treats will provide the alternative to unhealthy dessert eating, should I crave something sweet. I guess it's all about creating a collection of tried and tested recipes that will assist in maintaining a healthier and improved lifestyle, mindful that in reversing my diabetes in the recent past few months, I need to be alert to the triggers that will set me off my lifestyle plan.

Angel delight!  You recall that? That creamy-silky-soft, sometimes gelatinous "heaven in a bowl" for many - this is the effect that this sweet treat resembles although hardly sickly sweet, unhealthy, sugar and processed ingredients loaded. The apples infused in the blend of coconut milk, cinnamon and vanilla pod scrapings deliver an almost sweet and sour taste to this silky smooth dessert.   The coconut oil slow cooked and combined with the other ingredients, provides the emulsifying effect that store bought instant pudding provides.   I used a combination of top red and granny smith apples, ensuring that the tartness of the granny smith apple is balanced by the top red. I think I tend to favour apples in desserts as they aren't overly sweet, have been a healthy and filling fruit option since it's discovery, and possibly a serving of an apple a day will help keep the doctor away?

A combination of garnish can be used to complete this treat, and I chose dried berries, raw organic dark cacao shavings and walnuts.   This delight will provide you with the necessary healthy fats, serve as a treat to sate your cravings with the benefit of it being dairy free, gluten free and sugar free and offer you guilt-free comfort food.       Credits for this recipe go to Stupid Easy Paleo, which I have adapted for my own purposes.

Ingredients

400 ml coconut milk or coconut cream (full fat, sugar free, emulsifier free)

2 apples, cored, peeled and diced

1 vanilla pod or 1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tblsp coconut oil

1/2 tsp cinnamon powder

Here's How

Pour the coconut milk or cream into a small pot. Add the diced apples, coconut oil, and cinnamon powder.

If using a vanilla pod, scrape off half the pod and add to the pot. If using vanilla extract, add it in and mix together.
Simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring the ingredients occasionally, until the apples are soft and the coconut milk has reduced to a slightly thickened state.