Paleo-tella (Chocolate Hazelnut Spread)

March 17, 2014

Paleo-tella (Chocolate Hazelnut Spread)


Paleo-Tella = Awesome. No, really. I mean it.
Like a chocolate hazelnut spread that is secretly good for you and that is so awesome it makes your day brighter. Creamy, delicious and without loads of sugar, oils or other stuff with shady/unpronounceable names.

Hazelnuts


Backing up for a minute: Why is still this cold outside? Why there’s another winter storm hitting the East Coast? Why do I still have the flu?
No seriously, why the flu is so bad this year?
We’re like 4 days away from the first day of spring and I’m blowing my nose like it’s going out of style. Why?????
Also please add this to the list of things you don’t know about me. When I get sick I go from being this tough triathlete, to a whiny child who dies at the first sight of sniffles.
I get super cranky and can’t do anything. I lounge around the couch/bed all day and complain non-stop.
I’m the worst, like no one can stand me. Not even myself. Really, I get so annoyed with myself.
I’m hot, I’m cold, I have to go to the bathroom, I’m hungry but I don’t know what I should eat.
Frankly, what a bore...

Paleo-tella (Chocolate Hazelnut Spread)


Then I get the weirdest cravings.
The other day I wanted (in no particular order): Sour patch kids, sour brite crawlers, sour watermelons, sour Skittles (what’s up with sour candies btw?), Butterfingers, Reese’s PB cups and Nutella.
Weird. Stuff I never crave, let alone eat. But there you have it.
Anyhoo, I managed to get a hang of things by making this awesome Paleo-tella.
The homemade variety always trumps processed food found on store shelves for me.
There’s always a way to create the same flavors using healthy ingredients.
I’ve made several chocolate-hazelnut spreads, but none of them really wowed me.
This is by far my favorite recipe. It’s a tad less creamy than store-bought spreads but packs so much flavor you’re going to fall in love with it. Just like I did.

Paleo-tella (Chocolate Hazelnut Spread)
Last (but certainly not least) a special thank you to Elyce for helping me coming up with the name of this awesome spread. Way to go girl!

Paleo-tella (Chocolate Hazelnut Spread)                                                              Print this recipe!

Ingredients
Makes about 1 cup (16 tablespoons)

1 cup / 4.8 oz / 137 gr raw hazelnuts
¼ cup / 1.1 oz / 32 gr cocoa powder (I used Healthworks)
2 tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil (or butter or ghee)
½ cup / 120 ml almond milk (or other milk or your choice)
2 tablespoons raw coconut palm sugar (I used Madhava)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Spread hazelnuts on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 10 minutes, stirring once.
Remove from the oven and let cool for a couple of minutes.
Pour them in a clean kitchen towel, close into a bundle and give an energetic massage, this will (partially) skin the hazelnuts.
Transfer hazelnuts to a food processor and process for about 3 minutes, until a buttery paste forms.
Add all other ingredients and process until nice and smooth, about 8 to 10 minutes.
Every 2 minutes, stop the food processor and scrape the side with a spatula. It is also a good idea to give your a food processor a break every now and then.
Taste for sweetness and adjust to your liking.
Transfer to a Mason glass jar (or other airtight container) and keep in the fridge.

Nutrition facts

1 tablespoon yields 76 calories, 7.1 grams of fat, 3 grams of carbs and 1.5 grams of protein.

32 comments:

  1. Looks so good Mike, hope you're feeling better!

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  2. Sorry you're not feeling well, Mike! Having the flu does suck. Your body gets all achy and like you mentioned one minute your hot then cold. Anywho, your hazelnut spread looks delicious. We're big fans of the other stuff over here, but have been trying to avoid processed foods too. I'll be sure to give your version a try. Take care!

    PS. Do you think you could come up with a healthier version of Biscoff spread?! That stuff is so addicting!

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    1. Biscoff spread you said? I might need to work on that one...

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  3. I don't handle being sick well, either...I turn into such a child! Nutella sounds like the perfect remedy for anything, though. Definitey want to try this soon!

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  4. Get well soon Mike!

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  5. OMGoodness, that looks deadly! YUM!!

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  6. Love the recipe name, (nutella is the hardest thing to give up and now I don't have to)! I hope you feel better soon, it's been awful this year! I was sick most of February, and I can't wait for sunshine and warmer temperatures!

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  7. Mike - even when you are sick and cranky, you are making spreads to share...I mean that's the only reason for you posting this "paleo-tella" right? Your need to share jars of this AH-MAZING spread with the first 8 to 10 commentators just blows me away!!! Why thank you dear friend!
    :)
    On a serious note, I have a question for you - what type of food processor do you use?
    Thanks again for making this spread for moi! I will let you know as soon as it cozies into my mailbox!

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    1. I have a Cuisinart, it's one of the expensive ones but it's definitely money well spent, it works flawlessly!

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    2. Thanks Mike! That's what most peeps have been advising me to get

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  8. Ok, I couldn't help but laugh at this post. In the beginning I was just smiling because all of the I'm cold, then hot, want to eat, but don't know what to eat, have to go to the bath things are all signs of pregnancy. Clearly you are not pregnant, but if I was your wife I would sooooo be making fun of you!! hehe...

    Anywho, this recipe sounds AWESOME!!! But of course, thats just what you do, awesome recipes. Pinned and can't wait to try this Mike.

    Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats

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  9. Holy cow, I totally relate to you about this freak-ing flu! It was seriously like a two week build-up that transitioned into a two-week bout of mucus and temperature changes, which is now leveling off into another two weeks of feeling like I'm on cusp of either plummeting back into a senseless oblivion or actually getting better. Aside from that, this recipe looks like a fine way to treat yourself! :-)

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    1. OH yeah Lauren, I went for my first run in a week yesterday and it felt like I'd never run my whole life. This is one killer flu, I can't wait to get it over with...

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  10. Love everything about this chocolate spread! Gorgeous! So sorry your not feeling well.

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  11. DUDE - You need to adopt the GIGI FLU ASS-KICKING methodology! ;)

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  12. Love this recipe! Definitely need to try this! Would make a great gift as well!

    http://lifeandcity.tumblr.com

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    1. I know right? It could be the perfect gift indeed!

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  13. Hahahahaha dude I'm sorry you're not feeling well but I seriously laughed out loud when you talked about how you get whiny and cranky when sick. That is EXACTLY how I get. Like, right now I feel like I might possibly be getting a little sick, and I'm the most miserable person to be around. My wife is a PA in a hospital ER and she said guys overall are big babies compared to women.

    I can't wait to make this. And the name is incredible. You sir, are incredible.

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    1. I have no shame in saying that I whine like a baby; I excel in other areas, being sick is just not one of them ;)
      And thanks for all the compliments, you sir, are a really nice guy!

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  14. I've been looking for an unprocessed version of Nutella, thanks! Get well soon! The winter in NYC seem s to be never ending. My friend lives in your neighbourhood (I think), Park Slope - she's been bemoaning the cold weather all winter on FB

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    1. Thank you so much Nesa, let me know how you like it!

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  15. I am the most difficult person to put up with when I get sick too ahhh. Hope you're feeling better now!
    Also, unprocessed nutella? Awh yes! This is going on my bucket list - it looks awesome!

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  16. Maybe adding just a touch more almond milk would make it creamier. To the mad science lab!!!...also known as my kitchen lol

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  17. Hi! Thank you for this recipe. I just attempted to make it, but it didn't turn out as yours did. I ended up with a paste of the walnuts and the cocoa in a pool of oil. I didn't even add all the almond milk you suggested because I saw it wasn't mixing well. I have a cheap Black and Decker food processor, thought...

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  18. Hello, Mike! Thank you so much for this recipe, it is freaking amazing!! I used walnut milk and raw honey instead of coconut sugar.

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