Mini Apple Tarts

20 Mar 2012

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Recipes
Amy
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Mini Apple Tarts

My chiropractor had a flyer in her office about how simple it is to eat healthy. It focused on dispelling some of the common myths around wellness. One of the major myths the handout focused on was that eating healthy is too expensive.

I looked at the receptionist and chuckled, sharing that I hear that all the time. From my own experience I know that it’s no more expensive, especially when you take the time to learn how to cook using real food. I also know that you either spend the money on quality food or you spend it at the doctor’s office.

I’m not guaranteeing perfect health if your diet is clean. But there’s a much bigger chance of wellness when it is.

Are you wondering what apple tarts have to do with healthy eating? I thought I’d show you how easy it is to make a dessert that’s also good for you.

I don’t know about you but I enjoy dessert once in a while. And, I love to make healthier dessert for my family and friends. My favorite part is when they have no idea the dish isn’t loaded with unhealthy ingredients and they gobble up every last bite.

When I think dessert, I don’t think super sweet, goopy, make-your-belly-ache-and-your-head-spin. Instead, I think perfectly sweet with some good-for-you stuff thrown in the mix.

People seem to avoid making pies and tarts because of the dreaded crust. It’s one of those recipes that’s so simple it’ll fail if not executed perfectly. Instead of mixing up a dough and rolling it out, this crust recipe uses nuts, Erewhon’s whole grain Crispy Brown Rice Gluten Free Cereal, omgea-3 fatty acid rich walnuts, dates, and a little coconut oil. It all goes in the food processor and you just have to press it into your tart pans. Easy peasy.

Organic food is another important component of this dish. Apples are heavy in pesticides so buying organic keeps those harmful chemicals out of your system. Erewhon’s cereals are all organic too.

This recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free. Butter can be used in place of coconut oil if you choose. I like coconut palm sugar because it’s low glycemic and contains some macronutrients. Any granulated sugar could be used as a substitute.

What are your favorite ways to enjoy a healthy dessert?

Mini Apple Tarts Recipe

Mini-Apples Tarts

makes 4 (4-inch) tarts

For the crust:

1 1/4 cups walnuts

1 1/4 cups Erewhon Crispy Brown Rice Gluten Free cereal

3 large Medjool dates

2 tablespoons melted coconut oil

1 teaspoon cinnamon

For the filling:

2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and medium diced

1 tablespoon coconut palm sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

For the topping:

1 cup Erewhon Crispy Brown Rice Cereal

3 tablespoons melted coconut oil

2 tablespoons coconut palm sugar

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Make the crust:

Put the walnuts and the Crispy Brown Rice Cereal in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process until finely ground. Add dates, melted coconut oil, and cinnamon. Process until the mixture comes together like a dough.

Divide the dough into four equal pieces. Press the dough into the tart pans.

Make the filling:

Put the diced apples in a medium bowl. Toss with coconut palm sugar and cinnamon. Divide the apples between the four prepared tart pans.

Make the topping:

Put the Crispy Brown Rice Cereal in the food processor. Process until finely ground. Add the melted coconut oil and coconut palm sugar. Process until combined. Divide between the four tarts.

Place the tarts on a baking sheet. Bake for 30 – 35 minutes, until the apples are fork tender. If the crust begins to get too brown, cover with a piece of aluminum foil.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

 

 

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