Nutty Protein Energy Balls

These energy balls provide protein, carbs and good fats. It’s just the thing for a quick snack in the morning or anytime of the day, perfect to pack for a long flight and ideal after a workout. They are fun to eat and so easy to make.

If I need an excuse to eat chocolate, then these protein balls are it! The sweet and salty flavour is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

TOTAL TIME: 30 minutes

Ingredients

2/3 cup almonds, powdered

15 dates

2 tbsp coconut nectar

1 tbsp coconut oil

½ cup peanut butter

1 tbsp cocoa powder

3 tbsp dark chocolate, chopped finely

1 cup rolled oats

1 tbsp chia seeds

1/4 cup coconut chips

1/8 tsp sea salt

Blitz the dates in the food processor to a paste. In a large bowl, place the dates, coconut nectar, coconut oil and peanut butter together and mix well. Add the almond meal, cocoa, chocolate, oats, chia seeds and salt. Mix together until all the ingredients are evenly combined. Form into 12 balls with clean hands and place in a sealed container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for one week or freezer for 1 month.

Ambrosia

This medley of fruits in a sugar syrup with dry fruits, honey and nuts is a dish that our family makes every year for a festival called Dussehra. It’s a celebration that lasts for about nine days and is celebrated by Hindus all over India.

I love the richness of this dish which is so satisfying and yet so light and refreshing. The aroma of the ghee and cardamom is delicious. It’s also vegan and could be served as dessert with a dollop of coconut cream.

It’s very simple to make. Once the sugar syrup is done you just have to add all the fruits and nuts, honey, ghee and cardamom. For those of you who want to cut down on sugar, you could add less of it.

PREP: 30 minutes COOK TIME: 10 minutes SERVES: 6

Ingredients

½ cup jaggery

½ cup water

1 apple

2 bananas

2 oranges, segmented

2 guavas, cut into cubes

1 cup grapes, cut into two

2 tbsp honey

1 tbsp ghee

1 tsp cardamom powder

½ cup dates, chopped roughly

½ cup cashewnuts

½ cup raisins

Instructions

Combine the jaggery and water and cook over a moderate heat until the jaggery melts. Strain into another pan and bring to a boil. Cook for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.

Add all the ingredients except the apple and bananas. Core and cut the apple into small cubes. Add to the sugar syrup immediately. Slice the bananas into the sugar syrup and mix well. Refrigerate and serve with a dollop of coconut cream.