Raw Nutty Chocolate & Goji Slice Plus Ode To My Food Processor

In the 11 weeks that I've been in Perth, I've missed a few things I had to leave back in Melbourne.

I packed a backpack the night before we left, expecting to be gone for a few days, maybe a week. Obviously, things didn't quite work out that way. But as anyone who has ever lived out of a backpack will tell you, you really don't need 95% of your 'stuff'.

It's a lot easier than you might think to pack your life into a bag and walk away from the rest of it all. You're free-er than you think.

Of course I've missed my friends, my pink jeans, particular books, having my own room and my juicer. I've also really, really missed my food processor.

This may sound crazy to anyone who has never had the pleasure of owning a food processor, or to anyone who has never attempted to crush almonds in a paper bag with a bottle of wine. Or mash chickpeas into hummus. It's tough, alright?

Note: This is coming from a girl, who expressed to her travel bud while lying on a beach in the south of India that she missed her red Tupperware containers. Hmmmm.

Anyway. I have attempted a few things that I normally make in my food processor such as coriander pesto, chocolate bliss balls and spicy chicken meatballs (yeah, I've got your attention now don't I?) but they just haven't really turned out quite right.

So after the heaviness of the last two posts (which you can read here and here), I thought I might lighten the mood with one of my successful kitchen creations since being in Perth. Sans food processor.

 You will need:

• 1/2 cup extra virgin coconut oil

• 2 tablespoons 100% natural peanut butter (can substitute with almond butter or tahini)

• 1 cup cacao powder

• 3/4 cup shredded coconut

• 1 cup walnuts

• 1 tsp pink himalayan rock salt

• 9 pitted medjool dates (tip: use big, fat, juicy organic medjool dates)

• 1/3 cup goji berries

 Try to find organic ingredients - these will really up the flavour, health and quality factor of the slice!

What you do:

• On a flat surface, 'fork' your dates (yes, I realise how that could sound) until they soften and become a date paste. Add a little water if needed.

• Blend walnuts in a blender until crumbly, but stop before they become like a powder. Chunky bits of walnuts are delish!

• Combine cacao powder, coconut, salt, walnuts and goji berries in a mixing bowl.

• Melt coconut oil and peanut butter in a small saucepan over a low heat.

• Remove from heat and pour over dry ingredients.

• Add date paste and stir well to combine.

• Press mixture into a baking dish and chill. Or eat right now. Or both.

So with or without a food processor, I hope you give this guilt-free slice a go.Not only is it raw, free of gluten, dairy and processed sugars, but it's chockers with antioxidants and healthy fats as well as a good dose of protein. Oh, and it tastes flippin' delicious. Even my Dad aka Chocaholic Of The Century, says so. Enjoy.