Ooey-Gooey Protein Balls

When you need a high-energy fix, don’t resort to caffeine, chocolate, or high-sugar snacks. The real energy-boosters are fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Ayurveda considers quinoa, amaranth and millet as the most nutritious, because they are  high in protein and minerals. They are also high in fiber, and naturally detoxifying in nature.

One cup of amaranth (also known as rajgira in India) contains 14 g. protein, 8 mg. iron, and also magnesium and zinc.  It also contains copper, which is an essential trace mineral that improves energy and immunity, and not to mention zinc, per ayurveda boosts ojas (vigor). Also other added benefits why I used amaranth is it’s perfect to have in summer monsoons, easy to digest and tridoshic in nature. Makes about 12-15 balls.

• 1 cup Amaranth flour  
• 1/4 cup Date Sugar (any kind of sweetner you like)  
• 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/2 cup chopped Walnuts
• 1/4 cup Pumpkin seeds
• 1/4 cup Coconut Flour (or finely shredded coconut flakes)
• 2 tsp Cardamom powder
• one pinch Nutmeg powder
• few Cashews for garnish
• 3-4 tbsp of Nut Milk (to form balls)

These chewy-gooey balls are called as ladoos in India. Traditionally ladoos are made with using lot of ghee (clarified butter). Here is the healthier and lighter version using only one tbsp of extra virgin olive oil! Trust me you won’t even know the difference…

I buy organic amaranth seeds from Whole Foods and then powder it in my Vitamix dry grinder. Thanks to this amazing grinder, I get to use freshly made flour live with all the enzymes…priceless!!

In a saucepan, roast this flour with olive oil for about 20 mins on a low-medium flame. Meanwhile, add all the nuts/seeds along with sugar and spices and coconut flour in the grinder and make it into a fine powder. Now, add this powder to the flour and roast for few more mins. Allow this mixture to cool for few minutes.

Slowly add the nut milk (I use pumpkin seed milk) to make this into a sticky dough. Shape them into balls or ladoos.

Tastes best when they are completely cooled. Grab these when you need the boost of energy and don’t forget to pack them in your lunch bag…ENJOY!!