Superfood Vegan Polvoron Recipe

“Super foods” used to be so foreign to me.  Back then, I wouldn’t even touch hemp seeds, maca root powder, chia seeds, and the like with a ten-foot pole. I was sticker shock by the price! They’re usually double if not triple the price compared to other vegetables and fruits in season. I just didn’t understand what was the big deal about them.

Next thing I know, I’m putting maca root, hemp seeds, chia seeds in my blender every time I make green smoothies. Oh no! What has become of me?! What happened to creating comfort foods that feed the soul? (Btw, I’m sipping my superfood-charged green smoothie as I’m typing this).

As it turns out super foods are not that bad tasting. I used to think hemp seed milk tastes nasty but the plain hulled hemp seeds themselves actually taste nutty and buttery. I was putting a teaspoon of maca root straight to the blender when I thought of tasting it first -it tastes nutty and buttery too! Hmm, I could put hemp seeds and maca root powder in a desert or snack, but what could it be? Something nutty, buttery, aha , polvoron!

Polvoron is a Filipino sweet treat traditionally with flour, powdered milk, butter, and sugar and sometimes crushed peanuts. I used to devour Polvoron when I was a kid; it had tons of powder that would leave my mouth dry and throat choking but I didn’t seem to mind because it was that good. Elders would advice to have a drink in hand when eating Polvoron. I remember powder would come out of my mouth every time I would speak after eating Polvoron. My friends and I would chuckle and make fun of ourselves.

Fast forward to today, I could have my vegan Polvoron and eat it too. I have made a vegan version before but it had soy milk powder and vegan butter, still processed and unhealthy. This new recipe is packed with nutrients. I needed to put only a bit of the maca root powder and hemp seeds so the price I paid for them turned out to be a good value after all.

 

SUPERFOOD VEGAN POLVORON

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup rice powder
• 2 tablespoon hemp seeds
• 1 teaspoon maca root powder
• 2-3 tablespoons organic sugar (or date paste or date sugar for an even healthier alternative)
• 3 tablespoons cashew cream (see recipe below)

Notes:

• You could buy maca root powder and hemp seeds at health food stores or online. I got mine at the bulk section of Rainbow Grocery.
• White sugar is not vegan because it uses bone char in its filtration process. Organic sugar or evaporated cane sugar is vegan and very affordable. You may also use date sugar or date paste if you’d like to stick to a whole food diet. If you’re watching your sugar intake or if you’re diabetic, you may use stevia -although that would yield to a mild earthy taste.
• You’ll need a Polvoron molder which you could buy at any major Asian grocery stores or Filipino grocery stores, just ask the staff. You could also get one online but it’s usually more expensive than buying at the store. If you couldn’t find any, you may use a silicone molder or simply your hands.
• If not consumed right away, keep the Polvoron cakes in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for up to two weeks.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat a medium size pan over low heat. After a minute or two, add the rice flour.
2. Keep stirring to toast the rice flour. Once the flour is lightly toasted (you could tell by the smell of its aroma), add the hemp seeds and maca root powder. Mix well to combine all the flavors and textures.
3. Turn off the heat and add the organic sugar. Mix well then transfer to a bowl.
4. In a bowl, add the cashew cream and whisk to form thick crumbs. If the mixture needs more binding, add more cashew cream bit by bit. Do NOT make it creamy, otherwise it would be hard to mold.
5. Using a Polvoron molder (or your molder of choice), tightly fill the mold with Polvoron mixture then push the handle down to release the Polvoron. Repeat steps until all the cakes have been shaped.

CASHEW CREAM RECIPE

Note: Usually a blender wouldn’t be able to blend just three tablespoons of cashews so I recommend to make more and save the extra for later use. Cashew cream goes well in soups and sauces.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup raw cashews, soaked for at least four hours then rinsed
• 3/4 cup water
• pinch of salt

DIRECTIONS:

1. Using a high-speed blender, puree everything together until thick and creamy.

 

You could wrap the Polvoron individually using parchment paper or cellophane and give them as gifts.  Superfood Vegan Polvoron is perfect as a Valentines Day gift because it shows that you care for your loved one’s health as well as his/her taste buds. And don’t worry, this version won’t make him/her cotton mouth with dryness like the traditional ones.

I love that I don’t feel guilty eating these sweet treats because they’re good for me after all. Thank goodness I discovered maca root and hemp seeds! I would still be missing out had I stayed snobby about superfoods. Now my pantry couldn’t exist without them.