This sensationally delicious slice is also packed with mega nutrients. Isn't it fabulous to eat something 'naughty' and also know you are adding some good nutrition to this magnificent body of yours. However, you do need restraint when eating this as it is quite calorie and sugar dense. I went full on piggy wiggy with it when I first made it. I ate 5 slices over the period of 2 days but now I am practising huge restraint and only having ½ a slice a day.
Maple syrup is a sugar, yes it is. It does contain sucrose molecules which are made up of glucose and fructose, so it needs the enzyme sucrase to break it down, to reduce it back to glucose and fructose. So you do need to be mindful of how much you eat, but Maple syrup does rate as a low GI food because it is full of manganese which is super important for supporting bone health. It contains zinc. Check out my zinc podcast for why we need zinc. It is also packed with over 65 different polyphenols which help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. It also contains small amounts of calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
The pecans are an excellent source of healthy monounsaturated fats (similar to olive oil), which support heart health. The are high in fibre, a good source of thiamine, zinc, magnesium, copper and vitamin E, and the tahini is packed with calcium.
Per slice there is a whopping 5.5g of complete protein, so that is great in that department, but there is the equivalent of 5 tsp of sugar per slice. This is certainly not ideal, so I do really suggest cutting each slice in half. There is a saving grace though, maple is seen as a healthier sugar than refined sugar. The dates add fibre which slow down the sugar absorption in the body and the healthy fats in the almond meal, dates and tahini.
And let's face it. If you are craving a sweet treat, this is way better than any processed treat you can get in the shops. It has no nasty additives and is made with clean unadulterated ingredients and with a whole lot of love.
Pecan slice
INGREDIENTS
1½ cups almond meal
2 tbsp potato starch
2 tbsp tapioca flour
1 tbsp ground flax in 3 tbsp water
¼ cup maple syrup
60g vegan butter
Pecan Topping
12 medjool dates
¼ cup maple syrup and some to drizzle on top
½ cup tahini
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup pecans including the ones to put on top of the slice
METHOD
1. Mix the flours in a bowl and fold in the butter using your finger. Then pour in the maple syrup and flax and mix until all combined. If it's lookng dry, add a splash of milk.
2. Press the mixture into an 18x12cm baking dish that is lined with baking paper. Bake for 15 minutes in a 170°C oven.
3. Cut the dates small and place them in a food processor and mix until small and broken down.
4. Add the tahini, ¼ cup maple syrup and vanilla and process until combined.
5. Reserve enough pecans to cover the top of the dish.
6. Mix all the others into the tahini mix, then press into the baking dish and decorate with the reserved pecans.
7. Drizzle on more maple syrup and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
