Coconut and Berries

Healthy, Vegan Recipes by Emma Potts

Review & Giveaway: Super Healthy Snacks and Treats

“More than 60 easy recipes for energizing, delicious snacks free from gluten, dairy, refined sugar and eggs”. Sounds pretty good doesn’t it?

Well it is! “Super Healthy Snacks and Treats”, published earlier this year by Ryland Peters & Small, was written by Jenna Zoe, the founder of Foods to Love, the nutrition and recipe blog and online healthy products store. I discovered Jenna and her book via Instagram and was really excited to get my hands on a copy. It’s especially fantastic to see a UK-authored book of this kind. It seems the plant-based, healthy living scene is finally catching on here!

Super Healthy Snacks and Treats, Jenna Zoe

Facing nutrition information overload, I’m sure something a lot of us can relate to, Jenna set out to find a simple way of eating which left her feeling good. Her criteria for the foods she was going to eat were that:

- They had to be natural, whole foods that were minimally processed
- She had to love how they tasted.
- They had to suit her system. She paid close attention to what made her feel best.

The result of the experiment is this book! Jenna hopes to inspire us to make our own healthy eating guidelines and feel empowered to take the best care of ourselves.

All the dishes in the book are packed with nutrition, not to mention taste, colour and fun!

Most of the recipes are very easy to make with a few longer ones which look a little extra fancy, ideal for special occasions. I was familiar with almost all the ingredients and don’t think any listed are particularly uncommon, especially if you already avoid dairy and refined sugars and flours and are used to alternatives.

Raw Mint Chocolate Tartlets

As well as the recipes there’s lots of useful information in here: a guide to essential ingredients and substitutions, tips and tricks, a how to use the book feature and Jenna’s “principles of healthy snacking”.

The recipe chapters are divided into Breakfasts, Power Snacks, Party Snacks, Dips & Dippers, Sweet Bites & Cookies & Bakes so there’s something for any time of the day.

Each recipe is accompanied by a little intro, where you’ll find more nuggets of useful info, and beautiful pictures which will make you want to get in the kitchen pronto!

Raw Mint Chocolate Tartlets

This here is one of the insanely delicious Raw Mint Chocolate Tartlets. I don’t need to tell you again of my love for raw desserts but this one is honestly one of the best I’ve had. Even better is that they take less than 10 minutes to put together and only need 15 minutes to set. They are very rich so I’d recommend sharing one!

The publishers have generously allowed me to reprint this recipe here for you all to try immediately:

Raw Mint Chocolate Tartlets:

(Makes 4)

145g/1C Almonds
135g/3/4C Dates, stoned
2T Unsweetened Desiccated Coconut, OR more almonds
a pinch of salt
2t Coconut Oil

Mint Chocolate Filling

(to fill 2 tarts) *Note, the book also lists a key lime filling to fill the other 2 tart shells. Either double the filling for 4 tarts or halve the crust mixture for 2)

1 Large Banana
60ml/1/4C Coconut Oil
60ml/1/4C Pure Maple Syrup
40g/1/3C Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
6 Fresh Mint Leaves OR 1/2t Mint Extract

Put the almonds in a food processor and blitz until crumbly. Add the dates, desiccated coconut, salt and coconut oil and pulse until a smooth mixture forms. Remove the dough from the processor and divide it into 4. Press each portion into a tartlet mould so that it neatly lines the base and sides of the mould. Ideally you want the tartlet cases to be about 1cm/1/2inch thick all the way around, with plenty of room for the filling. Don’t worry if you have a little extra dough- you can roll this into bite-size energy balls and save for a healthy snack later on.

For the filling, make sure the coconut oil is liquid. If it isn’t put it in a saucepan over low heat and allow to melt. Allow to cool completely, otherwise the hot oil will start to cook the other ingredients in the filling,

Place the filling ingredients in the food processor, one set at a time, and blitz until smooth. Divide each filling between 2 tartlet cases and freeze for at least 15 minutes to set.

Raw tarts will keep, in the freezer, for up to 2 weeks, so they’re a great make-ahead option for tea and dinner parties.

Vegan Protein Pancakes

Next up, Protein Pancakes. If there is a pancake recipe in any new cookbook I get then that will most likely be the first I try! These are made from gluten-free flour and a dose of vegan protein powder and were light and fluffy but very filling too. I’ll be making these regularly.

Zucchini Hummus

I like to cover a range of sections when reviewing a cookbook so thought I’d make something savoury to complement my sweet choices. A batch of some kind of dip in the fridge is always useful and there are several in the book to choose from. I opted for the Zucchini Hummus which is rich and satisfying, despite not having chickpeas in. It’s also a good alternative for those who have trouble digesting beans.

Almond-Flax Crackers

Along with the hummus I served some veggies and another one from the book, the Almond-Flax Crackers. These are so so scrumptious and put conventional cardboard-like crackers to shame. They’re completely grain-free so very nutrient-dense and with lots of flavour so I’d happily eat them on their own instead of crisps. I would definitely recommend doubling the batch as there’s no way this recipe serves the 8 specified!

There isn’t one recipe in the book that doesn’t appeal but I’ve somehow shortlisted a few for my “must try very soon” list! The Breakfast Salad, Creole Cauliflower, Sticky Carrot Bites and Baby Gem Lettuce Wraps with Homemade Sweet Chilli Sauce.

I hope you’re as excited about this book as I am and I’m thrilled to have one copy to GIVEAWAY to a very lucky reader. To enter, do any one or all of the following things and leave a comment for each letting me know that you have done so. The more you do the more chances to win you have! I am sending the book personally so this giveaway is open WORLDWIDE!

**GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED**

1. Leave a comment on this post
2. “Like” Coconut and Berries on Facebook
3. Subscribe to Coconut and Berries by email
4. “Follow” me on Twitter
5. “Follow” @FoodstoLove on Twitter
6. “Follow” @RylandPeters on Twitter
7. Tweet about the giveaway and post the url in the comments.

Giveaway ends Thursday 4th December 12am GMT. Winner will be picked randomly and contacted by email within 48 hours of the closing time.

“Super Healthy Snacks and Treats” is available from Amazon.com and Amazon.uk as well as through Jenna’s site “Foods to Love”

Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes, but, as always, all opinions are my own.

If you’re new to Coconut and Berries, Please sign up for email updates and join me elsewhere: I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram (@coconutandberries), Google + and Twitter!

P.S. Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends for tomorrow!

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Comments

  1. Looks like a great book. I really need to explore the world of raw desserts. Will share the comp on Cake Liberation Front Twitter and Facebook.

  9. I am making your pie crust tonight for thanksgiving tomorrow; excited to see how it turns out. Thanks!

  11. This cookbook sounds fantastic! I love that it’s more than just desserts-I need some new dip recipes!

  13. Excellent review! I am happy for you that the UK is catching on to the healthy eating scene as well. When I lived in Scotland a decade ago, food was definitely not the appeal to vacationing there. I distinctly remember being horrified when after ordering macaroni and cheese I was asked if I would like a side of chips with it!! :) That was long before my vegan days and so I am not sure how I would have fared in Fort William had I tried to pursue that. Anyway, I enjoyed your post and I will be including a link to it with a post I have scheduled for Nov 28th in my time zone about a mostly raw banana-honey granola bar. Check it out if you are interested. Meantime, keep up the great work and Happy Cooking!

    • It’s definitely still better for veg/healthy food in cities but the movement is slowly and surely spreading outwards :)
      I’ve heard some horror stories about the food in Scotland!

  14. That tartlet looks yummy!! Sounds like an amazing book…would love a copy to add to my collection :-)

  15. Sounds right up my street - thank you for sharing your reviews! I’ve tweeted too :) Have a wonderful day!

  25. thanks so much very kind of you for doing this giveaway!! done the first 6 options

    with love from a fellow clean eater from London :o)

    Luce x

  27. My healthy snacks are usually pretty boring - an apple, a banana, or yogurt. THis book sounds great for adding some variety to my life!

  31. Sounds like a lovely book full of good ideas! (And I love the look of that chocolate tart. I am too hungry to be looking at pretty pictures of food right now.) I already follow you on Twitter and Facebook but I now also follow Ryland Peters & Small and Foods To Love on Twitter :) Thank you for hosting this giveaway xoxo

  34. Hi Emma!
    I already follow you on facebook so have added you on twitter to follow and for the email updates finally! Love the sound of the cook book and agree its great that is vegan nourishing food is becoming more known here. Will be on my Christmas list if i dont win it!! :) xxx

  36. I was recently thinking it’d be nice to have some fresh inspiration and new recipes for snacks, and it looks like this book would help with that!

  37. all that food looks so good - the pies are the prettiest but I also am a sucker for lovely crackers and would definitely love those - sounds like a great book

  38. Please please pick me for a free copy of your book! I am new to your page and all of these recipes look amazing! Awesome pictures too. I am also following you on facebook now, so I look forward to seeing more creations. :)

  39. I am french and I love to surf on american food blogs , especially those with healthy recipes. So I have subscribed to your blog too.
    This book looks great and I’d like to have a copy.

  46. Impressive cookbook review and thank you for an awesome worldwide giveaway, I’ll enter it after commenting! I just had Trader Joe’s mint chocolate and I was hooked…now I would love to try the raw mint chocolate tartlets! Are there raw cheesecakes in the cookbook, if so I would love to heck it out. What a clever way to use the zucchini - into a hummus, miam!

    • There are quite a few raw treats in here- not cheesecakes I don’t think though- chocolates, caramels, snack bars, nanaimo bars, etc. It’s my new favourite book! I love the sound of all the savoury recipes too.
      Thanks for your entries :)

  49. This book looks great. I’ve recently convinced my mum to try veganism but she is worried about not being able to bake her usually snacks and treats. I’d love to give her a copy for Christmas to show her that vegans don’t miss out! Liked your facebook page and subscribed to your emails (though I’ve been following you for ages!). Fingers crossed!

    • That’s fantastic Caterina! My Mum is very accepting of my veganism but when baking for others she also seems reluctant to try vegan recipes. There are some yummy, healthy cakes in here which I’m sure would appeal.

  50. I am just starting to enjoy raw foods. This would be a wonderful addition to my cookbooks. Thank you for the wonderful offer.

  51. Cute little pie! Sounds great. I’ve been making lime coconut avocado and also banana coconut pies. I would love a book with more awesome recipes!

  56. I make raw desserts, raw hummus, raw cashew nacho dip to eat with raw chips and assorted cut vegetables.

  63. Just discovered your site and these recipes look scrumptious; look forward to trying some right away.

  67. I’ve also followed you on Bloglovin (easier for me than emails!) Hope that still counts :)

  68. You did it! You convinced me to get my own copy, it really sounds like a great cookbook! I really enjoyed the recipe you included for the chocolate mint tart and that I think I will include for a breakfast meal soon.

  76. Sounds a great book. I follow you on facebook both from my personal account and my vegan womble page. I will share this on my public page. I have now subscribed to your newsletter. Thanks for running such a great giveaway and introducing me to a new book.

  85. This book looks awesome! Just what I need to try out some more raw vegan recipes. I’ve tweeted about the competition and I am now following you. Thanks for sharing :)

  86. Oh God, I soooo want that cookbook!!! Please, please, please, I´m in Argentina and those are hard to get here (sigh).
    So, I liked your page in FB, thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe <3

  87. Yum and yay!

    That mousse tart looks absolutely delicious and I cannot wait to make it - I have all the ingredients just waiting for me! 😀

    Also, I’m SO psyched this is open worldwide- what an amazing book and giveaway! I love the fact that you’ve added savoury goodies as part of the teasers - sometimes one can get carried away with the sweet goodies.

    BTW I’m trying to add you on twitter and it says your tag doesn’t exist? :s Either way, I completed all the other steps :)

    • Argh, I should have added a note! This is an old post so the giveaway actually ended several months ago! Sorry to get your hopes up. In any case, it’s a great book. Definitely recommend it! Apologies again.

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