This is the sweet treat on the occasion of the first anniversary of my blog "Su's Healthy Living". Any celebration is incomplete without something to sweeten our mouth. As you all know I don't often post sugary, buttery, floury,fried desserts in this blog. This blog was begun with the intent of promoting healthy eating and healthy living by being able to cook at home without too much head-scratching or too much fanfare. With this goal in mind I am bringing to you this healthy snack/dessert that both children and adults will like. You won't be able to stop with just one. You could eat it as a dessert after a meal, eat it as a snack during the day. You can keep some in a small baggie in your purse and pop it into your mouth when the blood sugar goes low or the hunger pangs hit you! You could feed your kids 4-5 and they would get atleast 50% of their daily protein requirement without even realizing it! And just as the title says it has absolutely NO added sugar, butter, ghee , flour or any kind of preservative. All ingredients are natural and it is super-easy to make, super-delicious to eat and super-nutritious. Say YAY to dry fruit balls!
This recipe is another of the innovative creative recipes from my best friend Phani's mother. This is how she sneaks proteins into her grandchildren.;)
Servings: makes around 50-60 nickel-sized ladoos.
Ingredients:
Almonds: 1/2 cup
Walnuts: 1/2 cup
Cashewnuts: 1/2 cup
Chopped, pitted dates: 4 cups
Method:
Individually dry roast the almonds, walnuts and cashew nuts and keep aside to cool down.
Once cooled, powder them coarsely in a coffee-grinder/ food processor / mixer-grinder . You could also grind it too a fine powder and make it. I like to grind it a little coarse as it adds texture to the laddoos.Add it to a bowl.
Warm the dates in the microwave for 3-4 minutes, until it is a little moist. In a food processor, grind the dates so that it becomes a smooth paste.
Add this paste to the bowl with the nuts and mix well.
Pinch marble-sized or nickel-sized portions of the mixture and roll it to a ball.( You could make any size balls. The rationale for the marble-sized balls is that it is easy to eat for kids and and adults alike).Do this until all the dough has been used up.
Store in airtight container.
Stays fresh at room temperature for 2-3 weeks, and up to 6 months in the refrigerator. I am bringing this healthy dessert to the Anniversary Gala at Angie's Fiesta Friday for all those people who are very health conscious and don't wish to indulge in heavy sugary cakes and pastries! I am sure the co-hosts Nancy and Selma will be glad.
Cooking made easy:
All the nuts can be roasted in the microwave using microwave safe plate for 3-4 minutes each. This is much faster and a more efficient way of doing it.
You could use any combination of nuts for your choice.
Make sure you use 3-4 times the amount of dates as there are nuts. The dates is what gives the laddoos the binding power.
Tip for healthy living:
Eating a handful of mixed nuts everyday has proved very beneficial. Just a handful of nuts not only contribute to a great percentage of our required daily protein intake but also omega-3 fatty acids.In fact nuts are one of the few plant-based sources of these omega-3 fatty acids!The omega-3 fatty acids are heart-healthy and help prevent cardiovascular issues.Nuts are also rich in healthy fats, antioxidants and dietary fiber.
Food for thought:
Eternity: a moment standing still for ever. James Montgomery
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