Organic Coconut Flakes (Small)

(Low Temperature Dried)

Wilderness Family Naturals' small coconut flakes are about the size of white rice. Many people find these will still work for macaroons, coatings and cookies (like a fine flake) and they also can be used in place of the large shreds. They are in-between those two flakes in size and can work in most recipes, especially if you want a more substantial coconut texture and flavor, but do not want too much chewiness.

We worked for months to develop a natural, dried coconut that we could still call "raw." We are excited to finally offer a low temperature dehydrated coconut with a great taste.

We start with wild coconuts. The coconut is removed from the shells, and washed in pure, filtered water (no chlorine is present). The coconut is then shredded and slowly dehydrated at 98.6°F (37°C). The result is shredded, raw coconut that tastes great, has a wonderful texture, and contains the nutrients found in coconut.

Most shredded, dried coconut available online and in health food stores is actually desiccated coconut. Chlorinated water is used to clean and sterilize the coconuts once they are opened and peeled. The coconut meat is grated, often lightly pressed to remove some of the milk (moisture) and then it is dried in huge ovens at temperatures between 170°-180°F (76°-82°C). Coconut sold in grocery stores is made from this desiccated coconut by soaking it in corn syrup, propylene glycol and sodium metabisulfite to preserve it. There is a huge difference between raw dehydrated coconut and most store-bought sweetened coconut flakes.

Our raw coconut flakes are great in trail mixes, numerous raw desserts, cookies, or great to snack all by themselves.

Sandy’s Almond Joy Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup liquid coconut oil - can be melted by placing container in hot water
• 1 cup chopped almonds - used soaked and dried almonds for added nutritional benefit (see instructions below)
• 3/4 to 1 cup dehydrated coconut

1. Stir together the coconut oil, almonds, dehydrated coconut (save about one third of it to sprinkle over the top) in a bowl.
2. Pour into an 8 X 8 pan and sprinkle the top with dehydrated coconut.
3. Place in the refrigerator to chill for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.
4. Remove and cut into bite-size squares to serve. If it becomes too hardened and cracks when you attempt to cut it, just set it out at room temperature until it cuts easily. Store it in the refrigerator.

Variations

1. Use Frontier Liquid Seasonings without alcohol to give the Almond Joys a different twist.
2. Try a teaspoon or two of Vanilla, Maple, Lemon, Lime, cinnamon, or Mint etc. Add when you are mixing all of the ingredients together.
3. Use some freshly squeezed lemon, lime or grapefruit juice to create a citrus flavor. WONDERFUL!!!
4. Try adding some coconut milk powder or whey protein to give the bar a creamier texture, or use Wilderness Family Naturals' Coconut Spread. Using a nut butter will also have a similar effect. It gives the bar a bit more substance and makes it more like a nougat.
5. Grind some raw cacao nibs into a powder using a coffee grinder or use our raw cacao powder to make them chocolaty. Then sweeten it with some raw honey, or stevia.
6. Add liquid (water, coconut milk, coconut cream, or warmed coconut oil) to a natural sweetener and raw cacao to make a chocolate sauce that you can use to top the almond joy bars.
7. Combine some certified organic, raw cacao powder with some agave nectar to create a wonderfully thick, naturally sweet healthy chocolate topping.

People are amazed at the results when they make this recipe. There are now hundreds of variations of Sandy's Almond Joy bars being made across America.

Almond Preparation

1. Soak almond overnight for 8 to 12 hours. I like to add Real Salt to the soaking water, using about one teaspoon per cup of nuts.
2. Chop in food processor.
3. Place on Teflex sheet (or parchment paper) and place in dehydrator to dry (about 4-6 hours).
4. I also dehydrate these soaked almonds whole for snacks. I place them in a bowl, stir in some Bragg's Liquid Aminos and a little Real Salt, then dry on the regular dehydrator sheets until crispy.

This is a very versatile recipe that can be changed by adding a different
flavoring each time you make it.

Modified from the recipe donated by Sandy Kuntz

About Wilderness Family Naturals

Wilderness Family Naturals is here to serve you from the pristine wilderness of Northeastern Minnesota.  We are located on the North Shore of Lake Superior at the edge of the Superior National Forrest, in an untouched, unpolluted land teaming with wolves, moose, beaver and bald eagles.  This area of the United States has some of the purest water and freshest air in the entire country and the soil here has never been depleted by farming or contaminated by industry.  For over 20 years Ken and Annette have purposed to live clean healthy lives, believing that a diet with nutrient dense foods is key.

Initially, Wilderness Family Naturals began in the home of Ken and Annette Fischer, 20 miles from phone lines, electric lines, septic systems, indoor plumbing or plowed roads.  In 2000, from the peace and quiet of the wilderness and with the help of their children, they began supplying healthy, nutrient dense foods over the internet.  For the first 3 years WFN, which began as a simple family business, grew substantially as they worked to bless people with healthy foods and supplements.

Soon they were forced to move to a small town about 20 miles away where they could have UPS and US mail service and the ability to hire employees.  Today, Wilderness Family Naturals is in the neighboring town of Silver Bay, MN and employs close to 30 people.  It is still run by Ken and Annette Fischer; however, many wonderful people from the surrounding community come each day to help serve you.

Wilderness Family Naturals was created to help anyone who is looking for high quality, healthy food.