Meatless Monday: A Better for You Brownie

Thanks to my cousin Angela for sharing this recipe with me a few weeks ago. I finally made a batch to share with friends and they were a big hit.

These brownies are for everyone: brownie lovers, vegans, followers of a gluten-free diet, and anyone looking for a healthier, while still tasty, treat.

Here is the link to Chocolate-Covered Katie’s Black Bean Brownies. 

Yes, that’s correct! The surprising main ingredient in this delicious dessert is a can of drained and well-rinsed black beans. The beans plus 1/2 cup of quick oats take the place of flour in this vegan-friendly, lower carb brownie recipe.

Since I was in unfamiliar territory, I followed the recipe exactly, choosing agave for the sweetener and coconut oil for the fat. I used 1/2 cup of SunSpire Fair Trade 42% Cacao Semi-Sweet Baking Chips. [These delicious chips are available at the Elm City Market in New Haven. To find a store near you, enter your zip code here.] 

Check here for nutrition info provided by Katie.  The beans and oatmeal supply a significant amount of protein and fiber, something you won’t find in the typical brownie.

These brownies did not rise as high as the brownies I usually bake, and their appearance was a little nubbier. People noticed, but I followed Katie’s advice and did not share the secret ingredient until they had taken a bite. Quelle surprise!

As Katie warns, be sure to blend the ingredients well, using a food processor if you have one, and don’t skimp on the chocolate chips. 

One more thing — they are even better when topped with a small scoop of something frozen in the vanilla or coffee flavor range.

Try ’em, you'll love ’em!

Have a great week!

On Mondays I often blog on food, food issues, or gardening in support of Meatless Monday, one of several programs developed in the Healthy Monday project, founded in 2003 in association with Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Communications. Meatless Monday’s goal is “to help reduce meat consumption 15% in order to improve personal health and the health of our planet.”