Monday, May 1, 2017

Amma's Oat and nut energy balls

Amma makes all kinds of sweets with dry fruits and nuts that she sweepingly classifies as energy balls. Her version with condensed milk and Jaggery is to die for. It is also a calorie bomb of a dessert. The high schoolers wanted a high energy snack to tide them over running practice. The stipulations were consistency, nutrition and not too sweet. The first criteria is hard to achieve, it feels boring to make the same thing week after week. I find myself negotiating what changes they will tolerate - no luck so far.

Amma of course gave me no proportions - it was chooru swalpa variety.She adds chocolate but I keep it out.

Ammas Oat and nut energy balls
(proportions adapted from Minimalist Baker)

1.5 cups rolled oats toasted
1 cup almonds toasted and chopped
1/2 c sesame seeds toasted
1 cup chopped dates or date paste (baking dates)
1/4 cup liquid sweetener (maple, agave)
1/4 c nut butter(almond, peanut)

To toast oats and nuts
- Put in a large wok and toast on medium flame constantly stirring . The raw smell should disappear and the oats will start to smell nutty
- Or use that microwave. Spread on a paper towel, put  directly on the microwave plate and cook in 30 second bursts. In between bursts, run a spoon through to distribute evenly.

Put all ingredients up to the dates in a large bowl. Measure the nut butter and the sweetener in a microwave safe liquid measuring cup. Microwave  for 30 sec to 1 min.. and stir to blend.
Pour over dry ingredients and mix with a spoon. It will be moist..
Roll into balls.- Makes about 18

Variations
- substitute other nuts for the almonds
-Use baking dates or dried Apricots
-Crush the dry ingredients in a blender .. Makes it easy to roll.
And I leave you with an image of the Mejjer Sculpture Gardens in Grand Rapids


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