My all time favourite chocolate is Bounty. Give me a bar of the chocolate coated sweet sticky coconut bars and I'll be at your disposal. Unfortunately, because of an atrociously weak resolve (especially in moments of stress -- which happens quite often with my job) I do not stock my fridge with chocolate. Nuts, yes. Chocolates, No.
So when I do get the occassional craving for a Bounty, it is a big problem. Especially if the craving surfaces late at night. (You see, I am a night time eater -- a total dieting no no). Anyways, it's a darn shame these yummy treats aren't stocked at 7-Eleven. So last weekend when I had three stories to hand in by Monday, I was understandably stressed. For the first time in I don't know how long, my TV remained turned off for 2 days. I was a mess. I wanted my bounty but I couldn't go out and get some because I looked like a hurricane hit me twice. (That's another thing that happens when I am under stress).
So, I decided to quell my craving by making a coconut dessert that comes close to a bounty ---Chocolate dipped/filled coconut macaroons. They're quick and easy to make and don't have to be killing-you-softly-and-slowly sweet as you can adjust the sugar according to your taste without it having an adverse effect on the recipe.
All you need is 3 egg whites, 13/4 cups dessicated coconut (you can reduce this to 11/2 cups if you want it a little stickier -- I did), 1/2 cup sugar (the recipe called for 3/4 cup). Whisk the egg whites and sugar till the mixture start to stiffen and then add in the coconut. Spoon or shape the coconuty mix as you wish -- cones, squares, circles, oval drops, etc -- and place them on a buttered baking sheet. Bake for 12 - 15 mins or till they start to get golden.
Remove. Let cool.
Melt chocolate over boiling/simmering water. Once melted, let it cool a while. Don't let it harden or you will have to start over! I used dark chocolate to reduce the sweetness. You can either use the chocolate as a filling in between two macaroons or dip half a macaroon in the chocolate. Let it set and than eat the treats or chill them.
Eat them (careful not to eat too many or you will suffer from coconut fatigue) and worry about the calories tomorrow.
Curious...have you ever made coconut cake? Been craving for a good one for months, tried the one at delicious, but the coconut slices were a turn off. They should me made into a yummy cream!
ReplyDeleteNo I haven't. But I have been tempted to try it to. Problem is, no one i know likes coconut and I don't want to have to eat it myself :( You want? Let both make one and we can share!
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