Guilt-Free Treats To Try With Your Loved Ones

Since most of us have been locked in our homes during the height of the pandemic, we have found ways and activities to bond with our loved ones. This pandemic has taught most of us a skill or two – mostly things that we have not learned or enhanced yet but we were able to do so because we’ve been forced to stay in the comfort of our own homes at the height of the COVID-19 infection and that’s where we also get to realise that each one of us is good at something. 

Now that we’re slowly gaining our “freedom” to wander outside because the situation is already manageable, we’re eager to reunite with our friends and loved ones. Allow us to share some quick recipes that you can do to share with your friends and loved ones, to express your love using the power of the palate. 

GRANOLA ENERGY BALLS

Ingredients:

2 cups Whole Grain Rolled Oats, toasted

2 pieces Banana, mashed

1 teaspoon Cinnamon Powder

½ cup Pure Honey

⅓ cup Dried Cranberries or Raisins

⅓ cup Pumpkin Seeds

⅓ cup Cashews or any nut of your choice

2 teaspoon Chia Seeds

¼ cup Dark Chocolate Chips or Cacao Nibs (optional)

Method:

1. In a saucepan, place the mashed banana and mix it with honey.
2. Add the dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, nuts, and chia seeds. Mix it until it is sticky.
3. In a large bowl, place the toasted rolled oats, dark chocolate chips, and the sticky mixture of bananas and nuts, mix well and let it cool for about 5-10 minutes.
4. Spoon in an amount of the mixture and roll into a ball.
5. Place the balls in a sheeted cookie tray or covered container and keep them in the fridge for at least 24 hours before serving.

DAIRY-FREE CHIA PUDDING

Ingredients: 

5 teaspoon Chia Seeds

1 cup Soy or Almond Milk

2 tablespoon Dried Berries of your choice or Raisins

2 tablespoon Pumpkin Seeds

2 tablespoon Nuts of your choice

2 tablespoon Cacao Nibs or Dark Chocolate Chips

2 tablespoon Coconut Chips (optional)

Method:

1. In a mason jar, mix the chia seeds, dried berries, pumpkin seeds, and nuts.
2. Stir in the soy milk and ensure that they are mixed well.
3. Top the mixture with cacao nibs and coconut chips and cover.
4. Place it in the fridge and let it still for at least an hour before serving.

Note:

You can also try other fruits for the Chia Pudding – it should depend on your liking or what is available in your pantry. You can opt not to include seeds and nuts, or do away with the cacao nibs toppings. You can play around with the ingredients that are available to you. In the absence of dried berries, canned fruits or fruit cocktails can be a perfect substitute, too! You may even use fresh fruits.

These goodies are not only best to share with your loved ones at home, but they can also be an alternative gift to your friends in those get-togethers. More than its taste, for sure it will be the effort that will make it all the more special for the people that you love, so go ahead, try them out and thank us later!  🙂