Our one ingredient lockdown challenge this week will spark debate

Tonight, our lifestyle chef and Food Fairy Godmother, Izelle Hoffman, is reopening that debate, mindfully! 

Pineapple, yes or no? Maybe this recipe and the mindful reasons behind pineapple will change your mind? 

Sweet Potato & Strawberry tart

Prep time: 10 minutes

Baking time: 15–20 minutes

Serving: 1 large tart

Crust

200 g dates, 

200 g almond flour

2 tsp caramel essence

½ tsp Oryx desert salt

Filling

500 g sweet potato mash

100 g almond butter

1 Tbsp caramel essence

1 tsp vanilla essence

½ tsp Oryx desert salt

2 Tbsp raw honey

3 eggs

Topping

250 g fresh strawberries, chopped 

1 tsp raw honey

1 tsp caramel essence

Pinch of Oryx desert salt

handful of chopped fresh mint

1/2 tsp almond flour

1. Preheat the oven to 190 °C and spray a 23cm baking dish dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. To make the crust, soak the dates in enough hot water to cover until soft. Drain and mash.
3. Add the almond flour, caramel essence and salt and mix well to a crumb-like texture.
4. Spread the mixture on the bottom of the pie dish and press down firmly to form a pie crust on the base and up the sides.
5. To make the filling, mix the sweet potato mash, almond butter, caramel essence, vanilla essence, salt and honey in a mixing bowl. Whisk the eggs in a separate bowl until fluffy and then add to the mixture. Mix well and pour into the pie crust.
6. Bake for 15–20 minutes until the filling is set and the crust is dark golden brown. Allow to cool before topping.
7. Place the chopped strawberries in a mixing bowl along with the honey, caramel essence, salt and mint. Toss gently to coat and arrange on top of the cooled tart. Sprinkle with the almond flour and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Note: Top with Nectarines, pineapples or even blueberries for a variation

Why do we use these ingredients:

Oryx Salt

What is the purpose of adding salt during cooking? It’s to enhance flavour, right? So why not start by using a good-quality salt to do the job? Sun-dried and unrefined with no additives will bring out the best in your food in the healthiest way possible.

Raw Honey

Salt needs sweet and vice versa to enhance taste and flavour. So when you add sweetness, choose a sweetness that has a healing effect on your body and health. Raw honey is antiviral and anti-fungal, and contains powerful antioxidants. Its helps ward off allergies, stabilise blood pressure and balance blood sugar levels. It also boosts the immune system and promotes digestive health.

Almonds

Whether in the form of milk, flour, butter or flakes, almonds are packed with nutritional benefits. They boost the immune system, help repair damaged skin, help prevent cancer, reduce the risk of osteoporosis and have alkalising properties. They are also a source of vitamin E, magnesium and high-quality protein. 

Dates 

Dates are rich in selenium, manganese, copper and magnesium, all of which are required to keep bones healthy and prevent conditions such as osteoporosis. 

Sweet potato 

Sweet potato is an anti-inflammatory immune booster, full of nutrients and rich in beta carotene (an important antioxidant and precursor to vitamin A). It also regulates blood sugar levels and is easily digestible because of its high fibre content.

Pineapple 

Pineapple must be my ultimate favourite fruit! Besides the fact that it is anti-inflammatory and reduces inflammation in joints and muscles, it also boosts immunity and improves blood circulation, which is another thing I am cautious about.

Another one ingredient challenge: What's in your fridge?

If you would like Izelle to use your ingredient idea to create a recipe that the whole family will love, send us a message on our Facebook page or leave a comment here and you could win a copy of her eBook - 'Mindful Eating'! 

You can also buy your copy here!