RECIPE: Pretend passionfruit slice

Words: Dr Fiona Herron

Photo: Chris Herron

Recently for some reason I really wanted a piece of passionfruit slice… remember the one when you were a kid … made with a tin or two of condensed milk? I bought a slice from a nearby cafe and, of course, almost instantly regretted it. Not only was the flavour lacking but I was also eating ingredients that I don’t normally consume and I didn’t feel great for the rest of the day.

The result – this edition’s recipe is my ‘pretend’ passionfruit slice that provides the pleasure of the amazing passionfruit flavour without the hours feeling unwell. It is super quick, moist and a little messy. It can be made with or without the passionfruit curd on top (which I cheated and bought).

The base of this slice is a mix of sunflower seeds, brazil, pecan and cashew nuts – all are jam-packed with anti-oxidants (especially Vitamin E), monosaturated fatty acids and a good dose of the mineral Selenium. Passionfruit is actually a berry and originates from Brazil and is known by some for its calming properties. It is definitely underrated – the passionfruit also has high antioxidant properties, and is rich in potassium, Vitamin A and fibre. Combined with the nut/seed base – this slice is a great immune boost.

Ingredients:

– 100g (2/3 cup) sunflower seeds

– 80g (2/3 cup) brazil nuts

– 60g (2/3 cup) pecan pieces

– 200g (2 cups) cashew pieces

– 80g (approx. 6) quartered Medjool dates

– 60g (1/3 cup) passionfruit pulp

– dollop of passionfruit curd to top

Method:

1. In your food processor, blitz sunflower seeds, brazil nuts and pecan pieces until just crumbly
2. Add cashew pieces and chopped dates and blitz again – don’t over blitz this – cashews are soft and can quickly become cream
3. Move mix to another bowl and slowly add in the passionfruit pulp – tasting as you go. Only add enough pulp so that when you press the mix it presses and stays together – you may not need the full 60g or you may want more
4. Press mix into a shallow dish and chill in the fridge for an hour or so (as long as you can wait basically)
5. Top with passionfruit curd (if desired, but still delicious without)
6. Cut into bite sized portions – this one is moist and messy but so yummy

Nutrition per serve (20g):
Energy – 373kJ
Protein – 2.1
Fat – 6.8g
Carbohydrate – 4.2g