I came across the Wholesome Child: A Complete Nutrition Guide and Cookbook about six months ago and it has been a complete game changer in how I fill of little ones tummies. Wholesome Child is written by the beautiful Mandy Sacher, an expert in child nutrition, who’s philosophy is simple: encourage children to enjoy nutritionally beneficial foods from a young age to ensure optimal development and establishment of lifelong healthy eating behaviours. This is not just your average cookbook, it is a thorough yet fun nutritional guide and cooking companion. I love it so much that I asked Mandy if I could share my top four favourite recipes with you all. So here is part one of this four part series… the ever delicious Chocolate Zucchini Muffins.
(VEG/GF/NF/DF)
Prep time: 25-30 mins
Cooking time: 35 mins
Makes: 30 mini muffins
Ingredients
1 cup (180g) zucchini, grated
½ cup (125g) sweet potato, steamed, pureed
1 egg
2 ripe bananas
1/3 cup (50g) coconut sugar
1/3 cup (80ml) maple syrup
1/3 cup (80ml) coconut oil, melted
1 cup (160g) brown rice flour
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tbs cacao powder
1 tbs carob powder
1 tsp vanilla extract or powder
Pinch sea salt
1/3 cup (35g) dark chocolate buds (optional)
Equipment
High-speed food processor
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 180°C.
Place the zucchini in a clean tea towel and squeeze to remove excess water.
Place the zucchini, sweet potato, egg, banana, coconut sugar, maple syrup and coconut oil in a processor and process at a high speed.
Add the rice flour, baking powder, baking soda, cacao powder, carob powder, vanilla extract and sea salt. Process at a high speed until smooth consistency is reached.
Gently fold in the chocolate chips by hand.
To make mini muffins, use mini paper inserts and add 1-2 tbs of batter per muffin and cook for 30-35 mins or until a cake tester comes out clean.
Serving and storing leftovers
Serve immediately, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 4 months.
Tip: If your child does not have a sweet tooth, reduce the sugar and the maple syrup to a quarter cup each.
To learn more about Mandy Sacher please visit the Wholesome Child website. Her book “Wholesome Child: A Complete Nutrition Guide and Cookbook” is available to purchase online and through iTunes, and you can connect with Mandy on Instagram and Facebook.
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