My simple rule of thumb is this: If I can make it in my kitchen, using whole ingredients; it’s unprocessed. I can cook lentils and add carrots and onions and spinach to make a soup, so that’s unprocessed. I can blend fruits together to make a smoothie, so that’s unprocessed. I can bake a potato or cook corn, so that’s unprocessed. But I can’t make a Fruit Loop.
– from Unprocessed, by Chef AJ
Okay, so by Chef AJ’s definition, the recipe below has no place in an “unprocessed” kitchen. It’s a safe bet to say that I can’t make vegan marshmallow creme in my own home. So why am I including it here? When that little 10 ounce tub of the stuff whispered sweet nothings in my ear during a recent Whole Foods run, I couldn’t resist. I once really liked Rice Krispie treats, see. I don’t crave salt. What’s oil done for me lately? Nothing. No. It’s the sweet stuff that calls to me like a stranger lurking in the inky shadows of an alley saying, “Pssst….I’ve got what you need.” So, chocolate crispies seemed like a good send-off as I embark on a week of making and eating Chef AJ’s sugar-free, gluten-free, salt-free and oil-free creations.
Here’s the backstory. Recently I was contacted by Chef AJ who asked if I’d be interested in reviewing her book, Unprocessed: How to Achieve Vibrant Health and Your Ideal Weight. Interested?? Can you make dark chocolate pudding out of avocados?!! I was over-the-moon flattered and excited. Not only did she want me to review her book, she asked if I’d like to give away a copy of it to one of you lucky readers. That’s what I call a win-win situation. So the plan for the next week is: all of our meals will be from Chef AJ’s book. I’ll be sharing my thoughts and photos – and a couple of recipes – just to give you a taste of what you can expect from her simple, healthy way of eating. And stay-tuned for the giveaway (my first ever)…
Shameless plug: Incidentally, my girl Somer is the one who first turned me on to Chef AJ. If you haven’t already found Somer’s new blog, Vedged Out, please check it out and show her your support. I’m so proud of her!
Cocoa Puffed Rice & Kamut Crispies
Makes more than enough bars
2 tbsp. chia seeds
6 tbsp. fresh-brewed coffee or water
10 oz vegan marshmallow creme
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips
4 tbsp. hemp seeds
4 cups puffed rice cereal
4 cups puffed kamut cereal
Combine the chia seeds and coffee or water in a small bowl, stir and set aside until thickened. In a large bowl, combine the hemp seeds, puffed rice and puffed kamut cereals. Set aside. Prepare a 9″ x 13″ pan by lining it with parchment paper.
In a large saucepan, gently warm the marshmallow creme, cocoa and chocolate chips, stirring to thoroughly melt the chocolate chips. When the mixture is melted and combined, pour it into the cereal mixture and stir until all of the cereal is coated with the chocolate mixture.
Pour the cereal/chocolate mixture into the pan and place in the refrigerator until set. Cut into squares.
(These aren’t as solid as “normal” Rice Krispies – the ricemallow creme is a lot softer than marshmallows and there’s no butter to firm things up. Some excellent additions to these treats would be dried, tart cherries, raw cacao nibs, crystallized ginger or chopped nuts.)
I love Chef AJ and am excited that she has a new book out! I wanted to thank you for helping me find Somer. It was through your blog that I found my way to goodcleanfood and then to Somer’s new blog. I’m a Utah vegan Mormon as well so it was fun to find her! I’m not a blogger (just love reading them!) but I have admired what you do for some time now so THANKS!!
Hi Laurie! Somer told me about you – – I’m so glad you found us :-). Thank YOU!
I didn’t even know vegan marshmallow creme existed! I think sometimes we have to try vegan things, just because they’re vegan. When I had some omnivore guests for dinner, I bought some tofutti sour cream just because I really wanted them to like their meal and not feel like they were missing. Guess what? I thought the tofutti sour cream was gross and wouldn’t buy it again. However, I would probably be really, really into those crispy treats 😉
I think the more our palates get refined, through eating whole foods the more we crave unprocessed food like in Chef AJ’s book. And believe me, I never miss any of the garbage when I make her recipes! I’m so excited to see what you make and how you like living a week “Unprocessed”. Thanks a million for the shout out. You helped me get where I am. xoxo!
Tonight will be our first meal out of her book – and I’m going to make an amazing-sounding blueberry dessert as well. I’m really excited to cook this week and I haven’t felt like that in a while, so it’s really good. Thankfully Kel and I have never been into vegan processed stuff, but we do love our coffee and our sweets! Love you 🙂
Ohh my god, vegan fluff!? You just made my day. I eat unprocessed 99% of the time, I save that 1% for a splurge day! It keeps me balanced!
I know, right?! I’m sorry that I now know there is vegan marshmallow creme ;-).
I love Chef AJ! She was the first resource I found when I went plant-based. I love her book too! I haven’t made all of her recipes yet but I’m looking forward to seeing which one’s you pick.
How cool that she contacted you and you are going to cook out of her book for a week–I love it! I will be excited to see what you make 🙂
Me, too ;-)!!
Vegan fluff – first time I have heard of it but I bet not my last – sounds awesome 😀
And thanks for introducing chef AJ to me 🙂
Loving your gorgeous Krispy bars!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I can’t wait to go check out Chef AJ! And those treats look yummy, yummy, yummy. Hooray for vegan marshmallows! I don’t even want to know what’s in the other ones. Yuck.
Fabulous Annie! I bet being contacted by Chef AJ was so much fun 🙂 I would love to learn more about her and her food philosophy, she sounds pretty awesome from everything I have read! Loving this dessert too – delicious! 🙂
Looking forward to your series on Chef AJ’s new book! I love her (her salad dressing changed my life, on Somer’s recommendation actually) so I’d love to hear more about her!
Sometimes we all have to indulge and that Ricemellow sounds simply heavenly 🙂
These crispies look so yummy ,what a delicious snack! I’ve actually been thinking about making some rice crispies lately (healthy of course) so great minds think alike, I say 🙂
Indeed!
I think Chef AJ picked the right gal to review her book, and your krispie treats look wonderful! Are we going to see the blueberry dessert? I hope so!
Making the blueberry concoction today ;-)!
How have I never tried Ricemellow???
Now you understand why I HAD to buy it!
I just recently discovered the wonders of Kamut when I made Kamut pancakes yesterday. I’d love to try the recipe and definitely win a copy of the book. I’m especially intrigued when you started your post with a quote from author, will definitely stay tuned for the giveaway.
Kamut pancakes? Are you sharing??
Georgous & tasty creations! So appetizing & tasty too! 🙂
Just trying to keep up with you, Sophie ;-)!
This sounds great! I love that you threw a hint of coffee in there…
I LOVE chocolate and coffee together.
Exciting Annie – I am looking forward to it! The crispy bars look so good 🙂
Having a lot of fun with it, Anne!
Congrats on the nod and the editing from ChefAJ! Well deserved! I am looking forward to hearing about the adventure and seeing the culinary results!
Thank you!
oh wow do these look good! I’ve never used rice mellow cream before, but have heard good things about it! 🙂
I’ve never seen rice mellow cream in a store. If I can find it, I have two bags of that puffed rice in the pantry that are probably close to expiring. (I was eating it like crazy for a while.) Rice mellow cream is now on my list for my next WF’s visit!
Maybe I should apologize ;-)!