|
|
Post by StepfordRenegade on Jul 17, 2014 16:58:30 GMT 10
Oh. My. Goodness! I just made 'chocolate' using ingredients that you could feasibly grow yourself or have long life stores of. Here is where I found the recipe: chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2009/10/13/make-these-now/Ingredients: 1 c walnuts (120 grams) - I used almonds 1 and 1/3 cups pitted dates (220 grams) 1 tsp vanilla extract optional: 1/8 tsp salt 3-4 tablespoons cocoa powder - can also use cacaoWhiz it all up in one of these babies...  ...Then roll it into little balls. Done! I added chia seeds because I didn't have quite enough almonds, and my blender couldn't hack it so I added water and now have the most delicious chocolate paste. It actually REALLY tastes like chocolate (with a hint of dates). I'm going to try and dehydrate it to make little chocolate drops... I'll keep you updated. |
|
|
|
Post by graynomad on Jul 17, 2014 18:15:02 GMT 10
You are gonna be one helluva popular person after SHTF  |
|
|
|
Post by StepfordRenegade on Jul 17, 2014 20:33:47 GMT 10
You are gonna be one helluva popular person after SHTF Haha I did actually think that, imagine if you had a supply of chocolate - people would trade anything for it! Now have to figure out how hard it is to grow dates, almonds and cacao. |
|
|
|
Post by graynomad on Jul 17, 2014 20:34:59 GMT 10
Maybe not "anything", but I'd start with my first born and work up from there.
|
|
sentinel
Senior Member
Posts: 463 
Likes: 253
|
Post by sentinel on Jul 18, 2014 16:38:56 GMT 10
Just made two batches - first one (a half mix as a trial) was fallen on by a hungry hoard!!!!!
I am hoping batch number two - a full mix - will see the sun rise - at least.
(As for Cocoa - get the home brand one - it was one of the richest blends I have seen in a long time - after the shortage ended earlier this year I ended up getting a doz boxes to keep on hand as none of the other brands were as good. I now re stock at 10 packs on hand and that's the magic number - as food treats like this will be a luxury and a desired item as Graynomad indicated).
Update - I was rolling the balls in coconut and a few other bits 'n' pcs and thought the pile wasn't growing - the hoard struck again. The use distraction tactics and one sneaks in from behind and scoops up the unprotected!!!
Batch two seeing sunrise may be a dream!! |
|
overlord
Senior Member
Posts: 614
Likes: 720
|
Post by overlord on Jul 18, 2014 17:50:28 GMT 10
actually, cocoa is very healthy with all the nutrients and antioxidants. It is when it is loaded with sugar that it becomes unhealthy.
|
|
|
|
Post by StepfordRenegade on Jul 18, 2014 21:35:17 GMT 10
Update - I was rolling the balls in coconut and a few other bits 'n' pcs and thought the pile wasn't growing - the hoard struck again. The use distraction tactics and one sneaks in from behind and scoops up the unprotected!!!
Batch two seeing sunrise may be a dream!! Haha too funny! I don't need sneak attacks because I do a damn fine job of demolishing it myself.... mmm yum! Today I had it with banana and it was heavenly. Tomorrow, I'm going to make banana icecream (blend frozen banana with a little bit of coconut milk) and add this, THEN I'm going to dip strawberries in it... before drifting off into some kind of blissful chocolate induced food coma. On a more serious note though, how long do you find your cocoa will last for - in terms of shelf life, not how quickly you eat it?  |
|
sentinel
Senior Member
Posts: 463
Likes: 253
|
Post by sentinel on Jul 19, 2014 6:58:55 GMT 10
Update - I was rolling the balls in coconut and a few other bits 'n' pcs and thought the pile wasn't growing - the hoard struck again. The use distraction tactics and one sneaks in from behind and scoops up the unprotected!!!
Batch two seeing sunrise may be a dream!! Haha too funny! I don't need sneak attacks because I do a damn fine job of demolishing it myself.... mmm yum! Today I had it with banana and it was heavenly. Tomorrow, I'm going to make banana icecream (blend frozen banana with a little bit of coconut milk) and add this, THEN I'm going to dip strawberries in it... before drifting off into some kind of blissful chocolate induced food coma. On a more serious note though, how long do you find your cocoa will last for - in terms of shelf life, not how quickly you eat it? Good Question - I hadn't considered it's shelf life - not even sure where I'd get this informaton - however these are newly processed packs made with fresh produce(as we just experienced a Cocoa shortage) the oldest pack I have has a 'Best Before Date' out to almost the end of 2016. So that's a good Two years at it's optimum level - I would consider another two years after this point as acceptable - provided it is stored in a cool, dark, moisture and pest free area.
Realistically in a 'Crashed Society' situation if you can have enough for 2 to 5 years as trade of value added product then you've done well and are surviving and thriving. Again, Realistically - you most likely wont have time for making luxury treats for yourself, let alone for a trade item.
|
|
|
|
Post by You Must Enter A Name on Jul 19, 2014 20:24:25 GMT 10
ausprep.com/thread/905/storing-cocoa-cacoaI already asked this, and Gaz and a few others helped me answer it. Cocoa will last almost forever if correctly stored and it is the correct grade. Well at least that's what I got from it.
|
|
sentinel
Senior Member
Posts: 463
Likes: 253
|
Post by sentinel on Jul 19, 2014 21:13:41 GMT 10
ausprep.com/thread/905/storing-cocoa-cacoaI already asked this, and Gaz and a few others helped me answer it. Cocoa will last almost forever if correctly stored and it is the correct grade. Well at least that's what I got from it. Yes and No - it will depend much on the method of storage and wether it's 'Natural Cocoa Powder' or the 'Dutch Processed' seems to matter little. Storage method appears to be the key.
Below are the links for each answer as one IS indefinite stored correctly and the other has a short shelf life.
1). Cocoa - How Long Does Cocoa Last? Shelf Life Expiration Date
www.eatbydate.com/other/sweets/how-long-does-cocoa-last-shelf-life/ (exert from link below). The shelf life of cocoa is influenced mainly by the best before date and how it is stored. Does cocoa go bad? If cocoa is stored properly it does not really go bad, but the flavor and quality do decrease over time. Instant hot chocolate mixes, on the other hand, usually contain powdered milk (or some type of dairy product) so they they do actually expire. So, how long does cocoa last?
Unopened
Pantry
Past Printed Date
Cocoa lasts for 2 Years
Cocoa Powder lasts for 2 Years
Nestle Hot Chocolate Mix lasts for 6-12 Months
Swiss Miss Packages lasts for 6-12 Months
Dry K-Cup Hot Chocolate lasts for 8-12 Months
Opened
Pantry
Cocoa Powder lasts for 1 Year
2). How Long Is Cocoa Powder Fresh? | eHow
www.ehow.com/facts_6937831_long-cocoa-powder-fresh_.html
|
|
|
|
Post by You Must Enter A Name on Jul 19, 2014 21:26:44 GMT 10
I think we agree matey  |
|
|
|
Post by StepfordRenegade on Jul 28, 2014 10:01:19 GMT 10
Upsate: I made this again on the weekend with walnuts instead of almonds like last time... definitely much tastier with almonds. Dehydrates well as well, although I ate my test batch before it was properly done... I couldn't help myself |
|
|
|
Post by You Must Enter A Name on Jul 28, 2014 12:41:31 GMT 10
nice stuff, keep experimenting and maybe you'll be the next Cadbury.
|
|
