In the Kitchen

 Raw Chai Custard Tarts

We had some friends over last night for dinner and a game of Catan. I always try to have some healthy treats around to snack on after dinner and this one was a hit!

One of my favorite raw foodies is Emily of This Rawsome Vegan Life. This recipe is inspired by her

Chia-Mel tarts. I changed the ingredients a bit based off the nuts I had on hand and spices. She continues to inspire me.

This makes about 6 small tarts.

Crust:

Handful of each, walnuts, cashews
and dried unsweetened coconut.
1/3 cup of pitted dates
1Tb agave
A dash of salt
1 heaping Tb cacao


Filling:

Handful of cashews
2 Tb agave
1 t vanilla extract
10 pitted dates soaked in water for 30 minutes (don't dump the water)
3 Tb almond butter
2 Tb tahini
2 Tb coconut oil
1 t cinnamon
1 T Chai tea mix ( this is the major change I made to the recipe)
Pinch of salt
Water from soaked dates
Sliced almonds for garnish

Crust: pulse nuts, dates and coconut together until they become fine and stick together.
Add the rest of ingredients and pulse until a ball forms. Press into cups ( you can use a cupcake tray) and refrigerate until firm.

Meanwhile...

Filling: process cashews into fine pieces, add all other ingredients expect sliced almonds. Process until, it has a creamy consistency. You many need to add water or more of the other ingredients. Try it. It's sooo good. You'll have to keep yourself from eating all of it! 

Fill the crust cups with the custard and let them firm in the fridge for an hour or so. I garnished mine with a few sliced almonds.  

Our friends goofing around while enjoying the tarts! 

If you'd like to see Emily's  original recipe you can visit her website www.ThisRawsomeVeganLife.com  and click on recipes. (The link can also be found on my "Inspiring People" page). 

*all photo are mine unless otherwise stated.