As you may already know, we're huge fans of Galway's foodie culture. Although we can't visit our favourite restaurants right now, we thought we'd bring a taste of Galway grub, right to your door. Teaming up with some of the best restaurants and cafes in town, For Fork Sake is an online recipe series for you to try and recreate your favourite dishes at home.
Salted Caramel on Mars
This indulgent dessert is perfect not only because it’s delicious but also because it’s vegan, gluten free and sugar free. We call it the Salted Caramel on Mars because one of the employees in the cafe described it as being out of this world!
The dessert is made in three simple layers. Put them all together, cool them in the fridge or freezer and keep refrigerated to prolong their shelf life (Although we’re pretty sure when you taste them it will be hard to stop yourself from finishing them!)
This recipe will make about 16 small bars, perfect for a pick me up during the day.
Preparation time: 20 minutes // Cooling time: 1 Hour
Ingredients
Base
275g Almonds
300g soaked dates
Pinch of Himalayan rock salt
Salted Caramel
300g Soaked Dates
½ cup of almond butter
½ cup of coconut oil
5 tbsp of water (use the water the dates were soaked in for added sweetness)
Pinch himilayan rock salt
1 tsp vanilla essence
Chocolate Topping
200g Chocolate chips
1 tbsp of coconut oil
Pinch of Himalayan Rock Salt
Note when we use a cup as measurement we are talking about a regular 12oz cup.
Method
1. First, soak your dates for both the base and caramel layers in warm water for about 20-30 minutes.
2. For the base, blend the almonds into small bits in your processor. Then add your soaked dates and a pinch of pink Himalayan rock salt (any salt will do really but we just prefer the flavour you get from Himalayan rock salt).
3. Cover a cake tin with a sheet of baking parchment and spread the base evenly into the tray.
4. For the caramel layer, melt the almond butter and coconut oil in a bowl over some hot water to ensure there are no big lumps.
5. Blend the dates in the processor with the water and once blended a little, add your melted almond butter & coconut oil, the vanilla essence and a generous pinch of rock salt. The amount of salt you add will depend on how salted you like your caramel, if you want more add more and vice versa.
6. Once the caramel is well blended in the processor, using a spatula layer the caramel out on top of your base. Note: If your caramel is too thick add a little more water.
7. Once the caramel is spread evenly over your base layer place the tray into the fridge or freezer for 30 minutes to 1 hour to cool the mixture until it sets.
8. For the final chocolate layer heat the chocolate chips, coconut oil and rock salt together in a bowl over some hot water.
9. Take out the tray from the fridge or freezer and pour over the chocolate mixture spreading it evenly on the tray.
10. Once the mixture has set you can cut your Caramel on Mars into slices. Remember that using a hot knife will ensure that the chocolate layer doesn’t crack once it’s set. Just leave the knife in a jug of hot water in-between slices.
11. Take a big slice and enjoy with your favourite hot beverage
Since 2016, Galway’s favourite social café, Temple Café, have been providing vegans and vegetarians with some of the best grub in town. From breakfast to lunch and everything in between, Seb and the gang have created a plant-based paradise right in the heart of Galway’s Latin Quarter. For breakfast, test out their Vegan fry, served with homemade beetroot sausages and sweet potato & black bean hash or if you’re feelin’ fancy, their pink buckwheat pancakes are always a treat.
For lunch, you’re spoilt for choice all year round from healthy salads, beetroot burgers and if you’re in need the mood for a big aul hug in a bowl, test out one of their amazing soups, made fresh every day. Still, have room for more? If your sweet tooth is getting the better of you, treat yourself to one of their crumbly vegan muffins or cheeseless-cheesecakes. Paired with one of their fine fair-trade teas and coffees, you’ll be set for the day! Saving the best till last, Café Temple is home to some of the best vegan hot chocolates in town, served with vegan cream and marshmallows. Remember, your body’s a temple too!
For more info on Cafe Temple, click here.
