Raw Vegan Special Chocolate Brownies
I'm going to be upfront and say that you can make these chocolate brownies special or special. Infused with herbs, or without, it's up to you. Either way, they will be special regardless as this recipe is so dang (dank?) tasty! If however, you decide to infuse your brownies with herbs like rosemary, buchu or basil, for example, I can't guarantee the same yumminess factor. So choose your herbs wisely friends.
pardon me sir,
there's something special in your chocolate
This recipe couldn't have come at a better time in my opinion. On the 31st of March 2017, the Western Cape High Court of South Africa made a landmark ruling, declaring that it is an infringement to ban the use of cannabis by adults in private homes. That means that the possession, cultivation and use of weed is allowed at home, for private use. This also means that Parliament is required to relook at drug trafficking laws as well as the Medicines Control Act, indicating a radical shift in what we consider addictive and harmful substances.
“Why is marijuana against the law? It grows naturally upon our planet. Doesn’t the idea of making nature against the law seem to you a bit...unnatural?”
What one culture vilifies as dangerous, another reveres. One needs to question why one group of people fears something while another group has fearlessly used it for centuries. Times are changing - more and more people are opening up to the benefits of using plants as medicine to treat physical pain and mental afflictions rather than perceiving it as ineffective or dangerous.
so good you may pass out.
why is this the case now?
As new-age-hippe-shit as this sounds, I do believe there is some sort of awakening happening. There is, without a doubt, a movement towards mindful eating, minimalism, responsible consumption and sustainable living. There is a greater awareness, where the glitz and the glam have been stripped away, and a deeper yearning from a more purpose-led life emerges. This means more people are questioning where their food is coming from, who made their clothes, how efficient is their car, or how eco-friendly their home is. It is about knowing one’s supply chain. It is about reconnecting with people, animals and the planet. It is about fostering deeper connections.
Living with that awareness inherently means there is an appreciation for nature. And Nature is the teacher of connections.
Mother Earth shows us how everything is here for a purpose and is delicately connected in strange and marvellous ways. With that understanding in mind, we can see plants as important and valuable entities, that when used respectfully, at the right time, for the right reasons, can reveal our purpose and connect us to all that is.
On a simpler scale though, plants and herbs can relieve us of pain, ease us into deeper relaxation, and help cultivate self-acceptance, encourage laughter and express love more freely. From helping to clear my acne almost entirely in a matter of hours (more on this in another post), to peacefully stilling my mind and to lovingly opening up my heart, I have experienced the healing power of plants myself.
This recipe is best enjoyed responsibly. And whether you decide to turn these into chocolate brownies into space cakes or not, this recipe is still utterly delicious. In fact, you may just want to infuse these with special herbs otherwise you might find yourself eating all of it in one go!
let’s get baked on these unbaked brownies.
ingredients for the raw chocolate brownies
1 1/2 cup dates, soaked
1 cup oatmeal flour (or rolled oats)
1/4 buckwheat
30g raw cacao powder
2 tbsp desiccated coconut
1 tbsp carob powder
1 tbsp maca powder
3 tsp chia seeds
1 tsp cinnamon
A pinch of vanilla
3-4 tbsp herb-infused coconut oil (or plain coconut oil)
ingredients for the glaze
1 tbsp nut butter (I used almond butter)
1/2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp carob powder
1 tsp water
method
1. For every 1/2 gram, use 1 tbsp of coconut oil. Combine the cannabis and coconut oil in a small saucepan over the lowest heat you can manage. Once the coconut oil has melted, let the mix simmer uncovered (stirring ever so often) for 2 hours. It should become slightly green and smell pretty strongly. If it doesn't turn green, that's fine. The green colour relates only to the chlorophyll present, not how strong the oil is. Smell the oil occasionally to make sure it doesn't burn.
2. Let the oil cool and strain the herb out. Use a cheesecloth if you have. Let solidify in a jar at room temperature, uncovered. Once cooled, close the container and store in the fridge.
3. Now onto the brownies! If you don’t have oatmeal flour, grind the rolled oats and the buckwheat together in a food processor until finely ground.
4. Add all of the raw brownie ingredients, including the herb-infused oil, together in a food processor. The texture should hold together and be slightly chunky. Place the raw brownie batter in cupcake holders, or in a muffin or cake tray. Press into brownie shapes and set in the fridge for a few hours.
5. To make the glaze, add all ingredients in a bowl and whisk together until smooth. Pour on top of the brownies and munch, munch, munchies away!