Raw Banoffee Pie, or “Why healthy desserts can be full of fat and sugar”

So, once I read that they did this study on rats, and that under stress, they went for fattier foods. I guess we are all familiar with that scenario. For some people, comfort food is fatty; pizza, a kebab, a burger…sometimes though, it’s sugar. And for double-“comfort”, foods that contain both. (Chocolate being the favourite).I doubt there is one person in the prosperous Western world that has not comfort eaten.

But! I do believe in healthy comfort food. Desserts that are sweet, gooey, and unctious, but made of whole plant foods, that are full of vitamins, minerals, protective phytochemicals, fibre, and fats that actually contribute to the wellbeing of my body!  

 Healthy does not necessarily mean low-fat-low-sugar, (think coconut, and dates, respectively) Conversely, low-fat-low-sugar does not necessarily mean healthy. (Choose a “diet bar”, any diet bar). 

 So by all means, investigate; it truly is possible to eat healthy, nurturing, comfort food on a Friday night, or whenever you want. They do not take long to make, and are not normally expensive.

Sadly, this recipe does not come with a photo today, because it was eaten too quickly. We were both in need of some rapid comfort,for different reasons, and this was, oh, so deeply comforting!

I did this in a 5 inch mini springform pan. Double up for a larger pan. or buy yourself a cutesie mini springform, it’s very useful for rich experimental desserts for 2 people.

 For both the crust and the caramel, if you have a very sweet tooth, you could always add 1-2 teaspoons of maple syrup to each,to give it an extra edge.But try it without, first.

For the Crust:

• 1/2 a cup of unroasted almonds (You could use organic oat flakes’ whizzed into flour for a slightly “lighter” crust)
• 5 soft halawi dates (or 2-3 juicy Medjool dates)
• pinch of salt
• 1t Maple syrup (optional)

In your food processor or beloved Mini Chopper, whizz up the nuts (or oats) and salt until they resemble a fine crumb. Add the dates and process until they are well blended through. Test the crumb between finger and thumb to see if it is sticky. If not, add one more small date , or your liquid sweetener. Press into the bottom of your pan, and refridgerate, while you make the caramel.

For the caramel:

• 1/2 a cup of cashew butter (made from 3/4cup of cashew nuts) Follow the link for How to Make Cashew Butter.
• 4 Medjool dates or 8-9 Halawi dates
• 1/4cup of almond/rice/soy milky-type beverage 🙂
• pinch of salt
• 1/2-1t maple syrup (optional)

Blend in your mini chopper until silky smooth. Spread over your base, and when ready to eat, top with sliced bananas.  Insert spoon immediately!

I really, really, really hope somebody out there tries this!

PS.  The word “health” comes from a word meaning “whole”. Clearly, real, complete health is not only about a heathy body but also well-being in mind and soul. I think long-term comfort eating, without addressing the root causes of our stresses and pains is obviously not healthy, even if your “comfort food” is nutritious. But meanwhile, short-term…. there’s always Banoffee Pie.