We often talk about "CrossFit cookies" in the gym. Those short little painful wods we endure from time-to-time, usually after some heavy lifting or max effort! And well, they're good an' all... They get your heart rate up, make you sweat, and afterward you feel a little weak in the knees! But I'm going to prescribe a small dose of a different kind of cookie... a chocolate macaroon cookie! Every once-in-awhile! It does the spirit good!
Warning: they may just make you a little weak in the knees as well! ;-)
Ingredients:
3 C organic unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 C organic agave nectar
6 egg whites
1 T vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. celtic grey sea salt
6 tsp. unsweetened organic cocoa powder
2 T raw organic cocoa nibs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, whip egg whites and sea salt together until egg whites form stiff peaks. Mix cocoa powder and cocoa nibs with coconut. Fold agave nectar, vanilla, and coconut chocolate mixture into the egg whites. Drop a spoonful-sized amount onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. Pinch the top of the cookie, and bake for 12-15 minutes (until lightly browned on the tips). Serve and enjoy! :-)
The problem with this recipe is it includes a lot of agave nectar. Agave nectar is the marketing name for High Fructose Agave Syrup. It is higher in fructose and more highly processed than High Fructose Corn Syrup. It is not even close to being paleo. Using HFCS is more paleo than it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great question. What are your thoughts on the use of Agave. I've heard some arguments both ways and would like to know your thoughts?
ReplyDeleteThere is definitely some controversy surrounding agave nectar. I have read some interesting debate on both sides of the issue. I'm undecided on the issue myself, but have definitely curtailed my use. I have made these macaroons with unsweetened applesauce, and honey as well. They don't turn out as sweet, which on this particular day was what I was seeking, but they were still good. Sweeteners and desserts are so rarely consumed when maintaining the Paleo diet, so this is a "treat" and, as with any indulgence, should be consumed in moderation. Dr. Loren Cordain referrers to these indiscretions as "open" meals. As Paleo enthusiasts, I encourage you to do your research as well, and make decisions that are right for YOU. Thank you for your comments.
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