Scrambling to find a last-minute Christmas gift? Look no further! Here is my easy idea – dry fruit covered with superfoods.
In this special episode of Manuel’s Caliente Kitchen, I show you how to make a gift that’s not only delicious, but nutritious as well. What gift is more universally accepted than a tasty treat? Best of all, it will have that homemade, handmade touch of sincerity that your friends and family will appreciate. Here is what you’ll need.
Ingredients:
- Assortment of no added sugar dried fruit (mango, prunes, peaches, apricots)
- Dark chocolate chips (60-70% dark) – the darker the chocolate, the lower the sugar content
- Canola oil
- Pinch of sea salt
- Toppings: coconut, chia seeds, almonds
Baking Supplies:
- Wax paper
- Bowls for ingredients
- Spoon to mix chocolate
Packaging:
- Mason jar
- Ribbon
- Gift tags
Instructions:
- Add the chocolate to a bowl, and add a little bit of canola oil. The canola oil helps the chocolate melt better.
- Add the chocolate to the microwave for 1 minute, take out, and stir.
- Dip a piece of fruit in the chocolate, then your topping of choice, and let dry on the wax paper.
- Repeat for all pieces of your dried fruit.
Benefits of This Superfood Gift
Dried fruit counts toward your daily fruit intake. The key is finding varieties that don’t include added sugars. When you’re shopping at the grocery store, look on the label for options that only have the fruit of choice in the ingredient. Including dried fruit in meals and snacks also contributes to your daily fiber. One serving of dried fruit (3-5 pieces) contains about 3-5 grams of soluble fiber – which can help the growth of probiotics in your gut for improved gut health.
Chia seeds have omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for heart health. Prunes contain nutrients that can help with bone health. And, to top it off, dark chocolate contains antioxidants to help reduce inflammation.
All of these benefits and the simplicity of this gift is why I love this assortment for family and friends.
