By the time you read this blog post (she says in manner of a melodramatic movie heroine), we will have finished the Edinburgh Half Marathon – woohoo! After which we will need a little treat. We’ll be having our 100% guaranteed post-race recovery breakfast of Poached Eggs and Curried Chickpeas, of course (try it – it really, really works). On the long drive home we might like something sweet and relatively good for us, though.
These Popcorn Chilli Chocolate Buns will do the trick. You’ll be thrilled to hear that popcorn, when not smothered in butter, oil or sugar, is actually quite good for you. The hulls are rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that prevent damage to cells. The raisins in them are rich in antioxidants too and supply energy nearly instantly, which is what we’ll be needing after (maybe) smashing our PBs into touch. The buns also contain almonds, which are something of a superfood, containing lots of B vitamins, vitamin E and a whole host of minerals. Chocolate is chocolate – we don’t care much about the debates on its health benefits. When the time is right, nothing but chocolate will do.
These buns are really quick and easy to make – just like the crispy buns you used to make as a child. They’re chewy and crunchy at the same time though, and you can make them with any kind of chocolate. The chilli gives them a lovely kick; add as much or as little as you like. Be warned though – they’re really moreish.
Popcorn Chilli Chocolate Buns
Makes about 12
Ingredients
200g chocolate (milk, dark or white)
100g almonds
100g juicy raisins
75g cooked popcorn
Pinch chilli flakes
Small knob of butter (optional)
Method
1 Place all of the ingredients except the chocolate in a large bowl.
2 Melt the chocolate in a separate bowl over a pan of hot water. Add the knob of butter if you want the chocolate to stay glossy later when it sets (entirely optional though and doesn’t affect the flavour).
3 Pour over the other ingredients and mix well, coating everything as best you can.
4 Spoon into paper cake cases and leave to set.
5 Eat and enjoy.
I find that food combining enables me to eat well and keep fit, and enables me to remove the chronic digestion problems I have if I don’t eat this way. I think I’ll have to try the Popcorn Chili Chocolate Buns though, to see how my stomach tolerates them! Thanks for the recipe.