If it Sounds Too Good to Be True...Epic Fail

Kitchen carnage...

Then it probably is too good to be true. It all started out so innocently. My husband and I are finishing up Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet. That means for 14 days, nary a carb (including fruit) has trespassed our lips. The other day, I happened upon this recipe for Peanut Butter Cookie "Dough" and Chocolate Fudge Brownie "Batter" made from garbanzo beans and low in carbs and sugar.

My heart leapt within me! I jotted down the ingredients, raced to the store, scrambled to make my purchases, took the stairs two-at-a-time back up to my kitchen (we live in a 6th floor walk-up btw), and like a frantic whirlwind whipped together this recipe. I was quaking in anticipation for Peanut Butter Cookie "Dough" and Chocolate Fudge Brownie "Batter." And then...



We tasted it. 

I can't overstate this. It. Tasted. Terrible. I was so disappointed by the result that I didn't even bother to stage the pictures, or clean my kitchen. As the mirage of a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup dissolved, I sat dejected and alone, exhausted from my toiling, while my husband cleaned up the kitchen. The bitter taste of disappointment was very much like... well, beans.

Wreckage from a recipe gone wrong.

Peanut Butter Cookie "Dough" and Chocolate Fudge Brownie "Batter."

You have to admit, it looks good right? And it smelled amazing!

I had high hopes for this recipe. I'm always looking for creative ways to make things with healthy ingredients, and beans are so good for you. Secondly, gluten allergies run in my family and I was so excited at potentially giving my brother and step-mom something delicious that they could enjoy. And then the Universe said, "Think again sucka!"


Let's get down to brass tacks. Here's the recipe, I don't want to acknowledge where I got this because the author thinks this recipe is just the bees-knees and well... I don't. But with some tweaking (and I mean major tweaking), this could have some potential.

Ingredients-Chocolate Fudge Brownie "Batter"
1 C cooked chickpeas/white beans (rinsed with water, peeled for smooth texture)
2 Tb cashew butter (or any natural nut butter, though flavor may vary)
2 t vanilla
5 Tb agave or honey (I subbed Splenda for this)
1/4 C cooked sweet potato, squash, pumpkin mash (not vital, perhaps, but does spread it out and fluff it up)
1/4 C cocoa powder
sprinkle of salt

Recipe
1) Put all ingredients into food processor (or blender)
2) Whir it up until everything is smooth
3) Spoon into a bowl

Ingredients- Peanut Butter Cookie "Dough"
1 C cooked chickpeas (rinsed with water, peeled for smooth texture)
1/3 C natural peanut butter
1/4 C cooked sweet potato mash (or pumpkin, squash, etc.)
2 t. vanilla
1/4 C agave or honey (I would use less if this isn’t a dessert, or if you don’t like it as sweet…my husband <3s sweet, and I <3 him, so I go with it)
sprinkle of salt

Recipe
1) Put all ingredients into food processor (or blender)
2) Whir it up until everything is smooth
3) Spoon into a bowl

Nobody's perfect.

Commiserate with me. Please. I beg of you.What's your biggest recipe nightmare?