Sunday, March 27, 2022

Food Creation Nation - No Bake Protein Bar Mix - Mar. 25, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Made for Food Creation Nation
No Bake Protein Bar Mix
Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) / 10.5 oz. (297 g.) in total package of mix
Calories: 200 calories in 4 prepared protein balls
Cost: $4.99 for 1 package 
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate Snacks Theme Week, featuring chocolate in many forms including bars, bites, balls, squares, pieces and truffles. Sometimes these snacks are both sweet and savory/salty. Sometimes they're not as sweet, and may be part of a high-protein snack.

Today's No Bake Protein Bar Mix was made for Food Creation Nation (Calabasas, CA). This starter mix, helped me easily and quickly create my own snacks (with instructions on adding more or less of various fats and liquids/sweeteners to taste). 

This offering provided a great base for many different recipes. I made two different flavors (batches) of protein balls today: 1.) Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Banana, and 2.) Cacao Nibs, Cinnamon and Chili.  (Later I made other shapes and tried different spice, nut and fruit flavors.)

The base mix had an aroma with chocolate and subtle coconut and nut notes and had the appearance of a thick brown sugar with tiny bits of coconut.

Pea protein added satisfying heft--allowing me to eat a few balls without feeling a sugar high or cravings later. Unlike the first protein dry mixes, there was no overly gritty, grainy or powdery/dry texture. The mix was finely ground enough to provide a relatively smooth, substantial base. It had enough base flavor to be a compelling foundation for protein balls, bars or bites.

The flavor: nutty, substantial, coconut bit texture and flavor, true chocolate (like a brownie without being overly sweet, with a relatively clean finish.

The protein balls I made were fast and easy to make. It was easy to customize the flavors I wanted with this base. I chilled them in the refrigerator for a few minutes and really enjoyed them. For those on the go, this is a great way to get started making protein snacks (and children can help too).

sweetness level - totally adjustable, depending on option level you choose. Like Asian tea places you opt for the sweetness level that fits your taste. Great idea. Semisweet chocolate chips and monk fruit as well as the dried coconut in the mix provided the right level of sweetness for me. Others are invited to add agave, honey or maple syrup (with suggested quantity listed).

Ingredients: 

Allergen-related information: Contained Brazil nuts, coconuts. Certified GlutenFree; Non-GMO Project Verified; Certified Vegan; Keto Certified. 

Claude's Chocolate - Chocolate Candy Sea Shells - Mar. 26, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Claude's Chocolate
Chocolate Candy Sea Shells 
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 5 oz. (141 g.) in total container
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1 oz. serving
Cost: $N/A - gift from a friend; thank you Toni!
Purchased from: Gift from a friend

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate Snacks Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Candy Sea Shells were from Claude's Chocolate (St. Augustine, FL).

These novelty chocolates were a trip souvenir, courtesy of my friend Toni. Once again I am a beneficiary of her travels and kindness.

In appearance, these chocolate candies looked like slightly worn shells from a sandy beach. Milk chocolate centers were first covered with a light (white-ish) coat, then shades of candy shell (artificial and natural) colors. The end result was: weathered sea shells adorned with festive beach vacation, sunset/golden hour hues.

Because of the candy shell coating(s), there was no detectable aroma. The texture was a mix of crunchy outer shell and creamier chocolate inside.

Yes, these were sweet. The milk chocolate inside was sweeter than the "shell" on the outside. But, they were a fun trip souvenir and tasted better than some chocolate candy "rocks" I've sampled in previous years.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, milk, cocoa mass, soy lecithin (an emulsifier), vanilla), sugar, maltodextrin, titanium dioxide, artificial colors (includes FD+C Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Red No. 45, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6), natural colors (includes beet juice, caramel), confectioner's glaze, carnuba wax.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk, soybeans.

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