Fig And Cranberry Energy Bites

(Photo : Toa Heftiba sur Unsplash)
20 portions
Prep time: 25 min.

What you’ll need:

• 2 cookie sheets
• 2 sheets of parchment paper
• Measuring cup kit
• 2 medium saucepans
• 1 wooden spoon
• 1 medium bowl
• 1 spatula
• 1 chef’s knife
• 1 cutting board

Ingredients:

• For the pumpkin seed nougat:
• 1 cup (250 mL) pumpkin seeds
• ¼ cup (60 mL) white granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) water

For the energy bites:

• 5 cups (1250 mL) dried figs, small diced
• 1¼ cup (310 mL) dried apricots, small diced
• 1 cup (250 mL) dried cherries, small diced
• 1 cup (250 mL) raisins
• 1 cup (250 mL) dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
• ½ cup (125 mL) apple juice
• 1 cup (250 mL) sunflower butter
• 1 1/3 cup (250 m) cocoa powder
• ¼ cup (60 mL) maple syrup

DIRECTIONS:

• Coarsely chop pumpkin seeds. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, heat the sugar and water and cook until a light caramel forms. Pour in pumpkin seeds and stir vigorously until seeds are covered. Set aside pumpkin seed nougat.
• In a medium saucepan, rehydrate the dried fruit pieces by heating them in the apple juice for approximately 10 minutes, until a paste forms.
• Coarsely chop pumpkin seed nougat.
• Put all ingredients plus 1 cup of the cocoa powder in a medium bowl and knead until dough is even. Set aside in freezer for about 10 minutes.
• Pour the remaining cocoa powder onto a cookie sheet.
• Roll mixture and shape into little balls. Place on cookie sheet. Roll balls in cocoa powder until they are evenly covered.

CHEF’S TIP: Shaping the balls is easier if you use single-use gloves. Or, you can put the mixture in the fridge or freezer if it becomes too sticky.

NUTRITIONIST’S TIP: Energy bites are an excellent snack and full of great nutrients! Use your imagination: use different fruits or seeds, add chia or hemp seeds, nuts or even a variety of spices or flavours! Delicious with a glass of soy milk!

Thanks to La Tablée des chefs for these delicious recipes! www.tableedeschefs.org/en