Apricot Coconut Slice – the real food way!

It really bugs me that the food in the health food aisle at the supermarket is quite often anything but healthy!

The kids asked me a few weeks ago if we could buy some “Apricot Coconut Slice” while we were shopping. I told them to check the ingredients. They were quickly put back on the shelf!

This is what was in them: Fruit (50%) (Apricots 42%, Coconut 8%), Sugar, Glucose Syrup (Derived from Corn), Vegetable Oil, Acidity Regulator (330), Emulsifier (Soya Lecithin), Thickener (406), Corn Starch, Natural Colour (160b), Natural Flavour, Preservative (220)

So, 50% fruit and 50% toxic cocktail. No thanks!

Then I got to thinking about apricot and coconut balls that we used to make at Christmas time when we were kids. Weren’t they yum? Unfortunately, most of those old-fashioned recipes used either condensed milk or milk powder, so I wasn’t overly keen on going down that road.

This recipe uses only real food. The addition of the orange helps bind the mix and offset the sweetness of the apricots. The Vital Veggie Power adds the health benefits of organic vegetables and fruit – the kids won’t have a clue!

Now, I am recommending you use organic apricots and coconut because regular dried fruit and coconut are often treated with sulphur dioxide (yep that’s number 220 listed above). Take a read of this blog post, to find out more about how to make sure your dried fruit is safe.

It’s so quick and easy that my kids have been whipping it up when they want a quick sweet treat – it’s pretty much a great substitute for lollies!

Apricot Coconut Slice

Vital stats: Gluten free, grain free, egg free, nut free, vegan

Okay, so this is what you need:

1 1/2 cups dried organic apricots

1 cup organic coconut (desiccated, shredded or flakes)

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed organic orange juice

2 teaspoons Vital Veggie Power

2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest

extra organic desiccated coconut for rolling

Okay, so this is how you do it:

Whizz everything together in your thermomix (speed 9, 40 seconds) or food processor.

Spread the extra coconut onto some baking paper.

Roll the mixture into a log shape and then roll in coconut.

Refrigerate until firm and then cut into small rounds. Store in the fridge or freezer.

Notes:

You can also make these into bliss balls and roll in coconut or leave plain.

They make great snacks for road trips and lunchboxes!

Dried apricots are rich in iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, beta carotene, calcium, and potassium.

Have you found something in the health food aisle that wasn’t all that healthy?

 Get Vital Veggie Power from my affiliate shop here.