Coconut Black {R}ice Pudding

We love rice pudding, it's a true comfort food for all of us.  We made a deliciously simple eggless version in our Thermomix regularly; it had become a family favorite. Recently, Big Brother asked me why we hadn't been making it at all anymore and then made a special request to bring it back for afternoon snack.  True, I hadn't made it since we discovered Baby Brother's milk allergy, and have since preferred to limit the amount of dairy drool shared between them.  It can be hard to say goodbye to favorite foods due to allergies.  What favorites have you had trouble leaving behind? What are your new ones?  Today, we are on our toes, as we adapt and reinvent our favorite comfort food.  Switching up cow milk for coconut milk to make rice pudding is a simple change rather than a challenge.  We use coconut milk and coconut products regularly so there was very little adjustment in that sense, and we don't have the big jug of milk in the fridge any longer that needs to be used up in a rice pudding or similar treat. And there is something wonderfully lovely about coconut milk rice pudding, perhaps reminiscent of mango sticky rice? I'll hold off on the crushed peanuts for now, as I'd rather err on the side of caution around Baby Brother.

While looking around for coconut milk Thermomix recipes, I spotted this one.  At the same time, a favorite blog, My New Roots, posted a version.  Perfect timing, as we made this one very cold Houston morning when preschool was actually canceled to do black {r}ice.  Oh, how we laughed along to the humor behind this play on words. Or did we laugh more at the fact that school was canceled here because of icy conditions?  We often compare Houston's winter to Toronto's and talk about how we know longer leave the house in winter gear.  So it was meant to be, a coconut milk black rice pudding for me.  The black rice and coconut milk elevate humble rice pudding to the next level. Keep in mind that rice pudding is gluten-free, making this a good treat to share with everyone.  Combining both recipes, I came up with this:

What you need:
1 cup of black rice, soaked overnight
1 can of coconut milk, I use this one
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 tablespoon maple syrup

What to do:
Soak black rice in cold water overnight
Insert butterfuly, then place rice and coconut milk in TM.  Cook for 100 degrees, 45 minutes, speed 1, reverse.
Drizzle in maple syrup. 
Serve with a drizzle of coconut milk, coconut flakes, mango chunks, or anything else you fancy.  And more maple syrup too :)

 .

Coconut, Apricot and Cacao Bliss Balls

Left: chocolate energy bark
Right: Bliss Balls

I can't stop myself from making and eating these bliss balls.  Perfect for popping in your mouth for mid-morning snack, and perfect for getting the energy for nap-time nursing.  The best part is that there is no cooking involved.  I start with a simple base of equal parts soaked organic and sulfur-free dried apricots and desiccated coconut and then add in a few pantry favorites like raw cacao powder, cacao nibs and chia seeds.  Have you ever tried Crio Bru?  It is simple wonderful and the granules are good in these bliss balls.  These will be a huge hit with dairy-free, gluten-free and nut-free friends too. They are so simple, yet special at the same time.  

What you need for base: 

200 grams unsulfered, organic dried apricots-- I have the bulk guys at Whole Foods fill up a bag for me when the order comes in.  
200 grams desiccated coconut--I use this, and like to get several bags at a time with BoGo promo.
1 tsp of local, raw honey--I get mine from Urban Harvest Farmer's Market

What I like for add-ins, I'd say I use roughly one tablespoon each:

Some cacao nibs or  Crio Bru granules or leftover grounds
Some raw cacao powder
Some chia seeds

What to do:

Soak dried apricots in water for 2 hours, so that they soften
Drain off water and add to TM bowl
Add Coconut and honey
Blitz, speed 7 for 25-30 seconds
Add in extras, blend on speed 4 reverse speed for about 10 seconds
Roll into balls and roll into coconut to coat
Store in fridge

See here for original recipe
And for more lunchbox and bliss ball ideas, see here

The ultimate pick-me-up, with
a cup of Crio Bru brewed cocoa 

make a great gift