Chickpea Muffins

This muffin recipe will allow you to make high-protein, gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free muffins.

To begin, preheat your oven to 350°F.

In a mixing bowl, combine together the following dry ingredients:

- 1 1/2 cups chickpea flour (a.k.a. garbanzo bean flour, gram flour or besan)

- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

- a pinch of salt

- 6 tablespoons lucuma powder

Side note:

At this moment, you're probably wondering, 'what the heck is lucuma powder?'. Lucuma is a fruit native to Peru. In Canada, one can by lucuma in powdered form. It is relatively expensive, compared to refined white sugar. This one-pound package cost me $18.79 at a health food store. (No one said healthy alternatives were cheap. If it's worth anything, the package below will last me for approximately 1 year.)

The fruit powder is sweet and can be used as a sugar substitute. It is low on the glycemic index, which makes it suitable for individuals with diabetes. Additionally, it has a mild maple/butterscotch flavour.

To the dry ingredients, add the following wet ingredients and mix thoroughly:

- 2 ripe bananas (mashed)

- 2 tablespoons all-natural peanut butter

- 2 teaspoons honey

- 1 container crushed apples (100 mL)

- 2 large eggs

- 1/4 cup water

At this point, add 3/4-1 cup of carob chips or chocolate chips. I used unsweetened carob chips.

Using a spoon, fill muffin papers with the chickpea batter, so that they are almost full.

Bake the muffins for 20 minutes and enjoy.

Fig Syrup

If you're trying to stay away from refined sugars or artificial sweeteners, you have a number of options, of natural food ingredients, that can be used in their place. One of your options could be to use fig syrup, a.k.a. miele di fichi or fig honey.

Personally speaking, fig syrup tended not to aggravate my intestinal flare-ups. It may also be a good option for you if "fiber is not your friend".

In Canada, this product is basically impossible to purchase. So, you'll have to make it yourself. Don't worry. It's actually quite simple. Click here for my recipe.

Date Paste

Soaking dates over night in water and blending with a little lemon or lime juice will leave you with a wonderful tasting date paste. This paste can be used as a natural sweetener, perfect for those wanting to avoid processed sugars.  

Luo Han Guo Tea

Luo han guo tea a.k.a. monk fruit tea is a naturally sweet, zero calorie beverage that is made from this dried Asian gourd. 

Simply break the hard shell, to expose the inner fruit, and place in a pot of water set to boil. Once at a rolling boil, set to simmer for 20 minutes. 

You can enjoy this tea warm or use it as a sugar-free sweetener.

Traditionally, this tea is used for throat-related issues and to boost one's immune system.