RECIPE

Kaffir Lime Caramel Amaranth Slice

I LOVE Kaffir Lime Leaf, to that end, I have this local little roadside stall that is part of small farm in Macmasters Beach where I live. So today I am incorporating some I picked up recently. You pay by honour system, it’s so awesome! Supporting local farms and growers and it’s all organic.

Kaffir Lime is the featured flavour infusion here with Amaranth. These bars are akin to the  Mexican ‘Alegria’ Bars that I tasted when I lived in Baja California, though this version is I would say a tad healthier.

THE GOODNESS

The Goodness:

2 fresh kaffir lime leaves

1/4 cup coconut sugar

1/2 tsp sea salt or himalayan salt

2 Tlb coconut oil – virgin or purified

2 1/2 Tlb tahini paste

2 Tlb brown rice syrup*

1 Tlb black sesame seeds

2 Tlb coconut cream

2 1/2 cups Amaranth popped

* you can use maple or coconut syrup but it offers a different end result, but if that’s all you have just note that they are slightly sweeter so adjust as needed

MAKING THE GOODNESS

Making the Goodness:

  • In a blender, food processor or the like, blitz together kaffir lime  (main vein removed) and coconut sugar to infuse the sugar well with lime and release the oils.
  • Place amaranth and black sesame in a larger bowl for final mixing.
  • Creating a double boiler with a saucepan of water and a stainless or glass bowl that fits snugly, ensuring water doesn’t reach the bottom of bowl, bring water to a simmer.
  • To the double boiler bowl add coconut sugar/kaffir mix, salt, coconut oil, tahini, rice syrup, coconut cream and melt gently (you can skip this double boiler but it does ensure nothing burns), mixing well with a silicone spatula until smooth, it should become runny.
  • Add this wet mix to the dry amaranth/sesame mix.
  • You can either mix with your hands, or with the spatula until well combined. If you looks too wet add some more amaranth.
  • Press into a parchment paper lined loaf pan for thicker slices or square pan for thinner slices. It helps to mark out where you wish to cut it now, I actually use a ruler and good knife :)
  • Freeze for an hour or so, then cut in desired slices or bites, and store in fridge or freezer. It lasts well and I found the testers stored for weeks in fridge and were fine.

Once you make this once you can adapt the level of the kaffir flavour or a great addition would be some chipotle chilli powder + chocolate pieces, really mexican in flavours.