Can’t think of turning on the oven? Too hot for the crockpot? Try making a granita! What is a granita? It is Italian for “little old grandma.” I’m lying, it’s not. Granitas are icy, semi-sweet desserts. This treat can be enjoyed any time of the day, but I am digging it for breakfast! This recipe is gluten free and full of healthy stuff. Take a peek!
Almonds: Low in saturated fat, high in Vitamin E, calcium and magnesium, all cancer haters
Chocolate Almond Milk: full of calcium, vitamins A, D & E
Dates: Contain fiber, antioxidants, vitamin A, beta-carotene, iron and potassium
Cocoa Powder: serious antioxidant power (more than acai, blueberries, red wine or green tea)
You could easily keep blending your granita until the chunks of ice are more like specs. I had one kid asleep while I made this and opted for a shorter blender time.
Ok, so you see how the glass in the photo is a big 16 ouncer? You could easily split this shake/icy treat/chunky meal into two servings. You teeny-tiny chicks out there might want to. One Chocolate Almond Granita is 538 calories, which is definitely a meal. I don’t think 500 calories spent on a fulfilling breakfast is awful, as long as you keep the rest of the day in check. I’d be willing to bet a shot or two of espresso might bump this recipe up a notch too!
Here’s the other part that may of may not freak you out. This has 39 grams of fat. WAIT, wait! Don’t leave yet. 36 grams are unsaturated, they are your healthy fats you find in avocados and salmon. Just a not for extra measure, fat doesn’t make you fat. In fact, it makes you full!
I should note that this was inspired by Celiacchicks.com who do an unchocolate? version!
Here’s what ya do.
Blend together –
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 1 T. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup chocolate almond milk
- 3 pitted dates
- 2 cups ice
