Today we welcome Kym from Free Spirit Eater back to Easy Eats. Kym was a
blog intern a few months back, and I’ve asked her to give us some healthy
recipes to keep us going in our new year! Check out her Mahi Mahi Tacos,
Black Bean Espresso Brownies and Vegan Chocolate Panna Cotta!
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Macaroons are often a gluten-free go-to for those adjusting to life without certain grains. But just because they’re one of the naturally gluten-free sweets out there doesn’t mean they should be given sub-par respect and reverence in our own
kitchens. Here Kym updates this little classic with some hearty, nutty cooked quinoa and a drizzle of dark chocolate for a light sweet with a healthy doze of protein –
perfect for satisfying deep-winter sweet cravings while keeping cold weather
weight gain away.
Coconut Anise Macaroons
3 egg whites from large eggs
¼ cup of honey
1 ½ cups of shredded unsweetened coconut
¼ teaspoon of anise extract
1 cup of cooked quinoa
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks
Place egg whites and honey in a heat proof bowl. Over a double boiler, whisk continually until mixture is slightly thick and warm. Do not over mix or cook! Your batter will seize and ruin the batch. Once warm to the touch, remove bowl from
heat and add remaining ingredients, stirring until combined.
Cover in plastic wrap and cool in the fridge for at least two hours.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a sheet tray with parchment paper or silicone. Using an ice cream scoop or two spoons, create a dome shape with the
batter and place them about two inches apart.
Place tray on the middle rack of the oven (the bottom burns quickly!) Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before removing from tray
or they will fall apart.
Melt chocolate in a double-boiler or in a microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between bursts until the chocolate is almost melted. Drizzle over macaroons before serving.
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Kymberlee Fajardo is a freelance food culture writer & photographer currently residing in Northern New Jersey with her soon-to-be husband, Chef Tim. A former NYC culinary school graduate and line cook, she uses her professional culinary training to create guilt free dishes using fresh seasonal ingredients. Follow Kym’s weight loss journey paired with healthy recipes and fitness tips on her blog Free Spirit Eater.
Or reach out to her via Twitter or Facebook.
