It was just one of those days.
You know those perfect spring days?
Where the air is warm and the shade is cool.
Where the breeze is dream like.
Soft and delightful, scented with roses, jasmine and citrus tree blossoms.
I collected some flowers and thought...
This is a perfect afternoon for tea in the garden.
We need a treat to enjoy with our tea.
But something semi healthy.
So I whipped up my black bean cake.
Which has no flour whatsoever.
No even a smidgen.
Isn't that amazing?
It could be called a curious chocolate cake, I suppose.
But I don't like mine overly chocolatey.
The eggs and the black beans morph together to magically turn into cake.
It's like a gift from the heavens.
It should be called magical cake really.
And bonus?
All the ingredients get thrown into a food processor in one go.
Voila.
Cake.
Of the delicious, nutritious & healthy variety.
Cooks up in 20-25 minutes.
Oh joy!
At the end of this post I'll tell you how to make it.
Recipe and all.
But surely...
You don't need tips on how to enjoy it.
We had ours out by the rose arbor that is just beginning to bloom.
Tea tins in tow.
Sipping galore.
Intoxicating glorious air.
Hot water.
Happy tea cups.
Nothing matching, but oh well, haha!
Fill, sip, repeat.
A wonderful day in the neighborhood, I do say.
Beggars included.
One looks up and one looks down.
I think the one looking down usually gets greater rewards.
Although, chocolate ain't for pups.
But it is for us...
Clink clink.
Oh these ridiculously exquisite days.
The kind that make you pinch yourself to prove they are real.
Where magic sunlight meets tea hour and rose arbors.
That's my bliss.
Throw some black bean cake into the mix, and we just about have a fainting girl.
Simple joys are the best, aren't they?
Now, what about the cake you ask?
So, here's my recipe.
Some people call them brownies, I call it cake.
You can call it whatever you'd like.
:-)
Black Bean Cake Recipe
1, 15oz. can of black beans, drained & rinsed
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips (divided, save half for topping)
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 eggs
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
Throw all of your ingredients into a food processor and process until blended & smooth.
Coat a 9" baking pan with cooking spray and pour cake mix in.
Sprinkle your extra chocolate chips on top.
Bake at 350'F 20-25 minutes
Or until toothpick comes out clean.
Eat.
Tips: I like to mix chopped pecans into my mixed batter before pouring into the cake pan.
You can add more chocolate chips if you'd like, about a small handful.
I have decided I don't enjoy vanilla in this recipe at all.
Sometimes I like to toss 1/2 a cup oats into the food processor with my ingredients prior to processing.
You can toss in a handful of toffee bits for fun and extra sweetness.
Hope you try it out and enjoy.
Love, V
