Eating healthy does not always mean you have to skip the last course of a meal.
While Hissa Alsudairy believes that a good diet needs to be considered a habit, she also challenges the myth that desserts are a no-go. A chief clinical registered dietitian nutritionist by profession, Alsudairy provides nutritional counseling for infants, children, and adults.
The dietician admits she does not have much of a sweet tooth, and is quite certain that eating healthy is absolutely necessary in order for the body to receive the essential nutrients it needs to perform daily metabolic functions.
“The moment we either skip a meal, snack and or choose unhealthy foods lacking in essential nutrients, the body falls under a nutrient imbalance,” says Alsudairy.
“A continuous nutrient imbalance will eventually lead to a nutrient deficiency. Once the body is deficient in any single nutrient, the body goes into stressed state which may then increase aging, insulin resistance, fat storage, poor immunity, and vulnerability to develop diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Therefore, it is important to practice balance, variety, moderation and exercise every day to achieve optimal health and prevent unwanted illnesses.”
But if you are a chocolate lover and still want to cook up something simple, rich and healthy at the same time, read on for two dessert recipes from Alsudairy.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Coconut Fudge
Ingredients:
Chocolate Layer
1 ½ cups Enjoy Life dark chocolate morsels (or preferred dairy free brand)
¼ cup coconut oil
6 tbsp (¼ cup + 2 tbsp) thick creamy coconut milk
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Coconut Layer
1/3 cups unsweetened finely shredded coconut
2 tbsp pure maple syrup
¼ cup coconut oil, melted and cooled
2 tbsp thick creamy coconut milk
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Chocolate Drizzle/Topping
¼ cup Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Chips
½ tsp coconut oil
Directions:
Line an 8-by-8-inch pan or dish with parchment paper.
Prepare the chocolate layer first: In a saucepan over very low heat, melt dark chocolate morsels and coconut oil while stirring continuously. Stir in coconut milk and remove from heat, then add vanilla.
Spread the chocolate mixture in the lined 8-by-8-inch pan. Chill in the freezer while preparing coconut layer.
To make the coconut layer, mix all ingredients together in a bowl until fully combined, then prepare the top chocolate drizzle by melting the chocolate chips and coconut oil over very low heat.
Sprinkle the coconut layer evenly over the thickened chocolate layer (make sure the bottom chocolate layer is simply thickened not frozen) and then drizzle the melted chocolate/coconut oil over the top. Put in the freezer for 10 minutes to set and then cut into squares to serve!
Dark Chocolate Bark
Ingredients:
2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips
¼ cup dried cherries, cranberries, or apricots
¼ cup chopped pecans, pistachios, almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, or peanuts
1/8 tsp sea salt
Directions:
Melt dark chocolate chips over a very low heat until melted, stirring every 30 seconds.
Pour melted chocolate onto a piece of parchment paper and smooth. Top evenly with desired fruits and nuts such as cherries, pecans, and sea salt.
Allow to dry (two to four hours) then cut or break into bite-sized pieces.
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Healthy eating does not mean deserting desserts
Healthy eating does not mean deserting desserts
Where We Are Going Today: Savory cinnamon rolls at Darcin
- The labneh zaatar roll was also a great choice, similar to a manakeesh with its creamy and aromatic flavor
Have you ever had a savory cinnamon bun? Neither had we, but Darcin has changed the game. As their slogan says, it’s “not your ordinary spice — it’s cinnamon with attitude.”
The self-proclaimed “Home of the Cinnamon Roll” is in Riyadh’s Al-Rayyan district. It invites you to its outdoor seating area through a wall of natural greenery, equipped with heating lamps that make it the perfect spot to spend a cozy winter night reading a book or catching up with friends.
We started off with the halloumi pesto roll, which was savory, indulgent and vibrant with creamy basil flavors. The bun itself was extremely soft, almost like a Japanese milk bun, and the halloumi was well cooked and topped with sundried tomatoes.
The labneh zaatar roll was also a great choice, similar to a manakeesh with its creamy and aromatic flavor.
We capped our meal by indulging our sweet tooth; there are a decent number of options, ranging from a mixed berry cheesecake and pistachio kinafeh to halawa or a creamy tiramisu. It was tough to pick from all the mouthwatering cinnamon rolls on offer, but we settled on the maple pecan, which was great if you’re not looking for something too intensely sweet.
The coffee was also great, and the venue was quite busy for a weekend evening, with all the outdoor seating occupied at some point.
One thing to note is that we didn’t get the best service when we were there. The staff were not especially helpful in providing recommendations, oddly telling us they had no savory options until we proved otherwise by pointing at the menu.
Regardless, it’s a lovely place to visit if you are seeking new places to hang out in Riyadh or want to grab a treat to take home. They have a selection of sharing boxes that would be great for a night in or a large gathering.
