… a snack baller that is!
See the Ball, Be the Ball
I'm sure you’ve all heard of these delectable snacks before; they come
in different incarnations called power balls, protein balls, energy balls...somehow the
word 'balls' just doesn’t quite accurately describe these snack gems for me, and depending on the age of who you’re serving them to you can get some little snickers on the side! I've also heard of them being called bombes too, but for my nonviolent soul, the word bomb whether it’s bombs or
bombes just doesn’t quite sit well with me (could I get away with calling them balms?)
Raspberry Fruit and Nut Orbs
I took it as my challenge to come up with a different word. I write,
poems mainly, and as you know poetry is all about the words, the language
usage, finding terms that are not colloquial and I often find myself sitting at
my kitchen table composing a poem and stopping to say:
"Hey Google, what's another word for _____?"
Usually google helps me, but often I have to go search manually because a synonym for something is just given as the same word with a -y or -ing added to the end of it. Not helpful Google, not helpful at all. So, I decided to call these little babies orbs. The dictionary definition of an orb is a spherical body, a globe; as a verb it means to encircle or enclose. These tiny spherical bodies enclose a burst of freshness and flavor.
Blackberry Fruit and Nut Orbs
I've adapted a recipe I found on Healthy Mummy,
adding in cacao powder, cinnamon and sea salt. Cacao, rich in antioxidants, is
among the most mineral dense foods and as I recently learned in my unit on
nutrition and mental health, one of the top 13 foods for mental health. Almonds
made that list too, as did berries, called a special mental health food for
their antioxidant all-star status. In any case, chocolate and berries are a
beautiful pairing. The cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar spikes that sweet
treats can cause, and of course it simply tastes delicious not to mention goes
well with both berries and cacao. Lastly, I added in a pinch of sea salt to
boost the natural sweetness of the dates: yes, a pinch of salt is sweet! Packed
full of fibre, protein and flavor, these little orbs will add a big smile to
your day and make your tummy feel happy.
Fruit and Nut Orbs are lovely tucked into your bag as a snack for those hangry afternoons, they add a zaazaa to a fruit tray and make a big oomph on a healthy dessert platter.
Splash the orbs haphazardly onto a healthy dessert platter for a dramatic look.
Fruit and Nut Orbs
1 cup raw almonds
½ cup flaked coconut, unsweetened (plus more to roll in)
1 cup frozen blackberries (or raspberries) - not thawed, keep frozen until ready to use
3 medjool dates, use the plump ones, seeds removed
1-2 teaspoon cacao or cocoa powder, depends on how juicy your dates are (plus more to roll in)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch sea salt
½ cup flaked coconut, unsweetened (plus more to roll in)
1 cup frozen blackberries (or raspberries) - not thawed, keep frozen until ready to use
3 medjool dates, use the plump ones, seeds removed
1-2 teaspoon cacao or cocoa powder, depends on how juicy your dates are (plus more to roll in)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch sea salt
1. Blend the almonds in food processor - you can do
them fine or leave them a bit crunchy, according to your tastes.
2. Add remaining ingredients to food processor and whirl to combine. Stop and scrape down sides of the food processor as needed, then continue to process until desired consistency and when the dough starts to hold together.
3. Once well combined, roll into balls, of approximately 1 -2 tablespoon each. Place in fridge or freezer to set, about 30 minutes.
4. Once set, roll them in coconut, cacao/cocoa/beet powder or crushed nuts. You can also dip them in melted chocolate.
5. Store in the fridge or freezer. Makes about 24 orbs.
2. Add remaining ingredients to food processor and whirl to combine. Stop and scrape down sides of the food processor as needed, then continue to process until desired consistency and when the dough starts to hold together.
3. Once well combined, roll into balls, of approximately 1 -2 tablespoon each. Place in fridge or freezer to set, about 30 minutes.
4. Once set, roll them in coconut, cacao/cocoa/beet powder or crushed nuts. You can also dip them in melted chocolate.
5. Store in the fridge or freezer. Makes about 24 orbs.
Raspberry Orbs rolled in coconut and beet powder
Bonus recipe: I made and named these before I fell into the Fruit and Nut Orbs. Notice the name 😏
Power Ballz add a nice touch to fruit and dessert platters and are perfect for those looking for protein-rich, refined sugar-free options.
Peanut Butter Power Ballz on a fruit and dessert platter
Peanut Butter Power Ballz
1/2 cup Natural Crunchy Peanut Butter or almond butter (plus 1-2 tablespoons more if needed)
1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
1 cup large flake rolled oats
1/4 cup each sunflower and pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup each Chocolate Chips & raisins
2 tablespoons dried cranberries
pinch sea salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)
1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
1 cup large flake rolled oats
1/4 cup each sunflower and pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup each Chocolate Chips & raisins
2 tablespoons dried cranberries
pinch sea salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)
1. Mix peanut butter and maple syrup in medium bowl until blended.
3. Refrigerate for about 30 min.
4. Roll into about 20 balls, about 2 Tbsp each. Store refrigerated.
Adapted from Kraft Canada.
Eyeing the puffed rice squares on the healthy dessert platter? Find the link on my blog's facebook, here:
https://m.facebook.com/
Ith gu leòir and to your health,
Natasha
© Kooks in the Kitchen. 2019.