My daughter is getting three weeks of holidays between Terms 2 and 3. She’s a pretty great kid, but that still fills me with blinding terror.
A few weeks ago, her Year 1 teacher asked the kids for family recipes. Those recipes were typed, bound, and printed (with illustrations by the kids). There are about 15 recipes altogether, and I decided that Louisette and I would cook them ALL these holidays.
Yes, THAT will make everything less stressful! Come along and watch as I inevitably regret all the life choices I ever made to end up on this path to horror and pain!
We started with. . . us. Louisette’s recipe was originally from a low-FODMAP recipe book, and it’s a fantastic snack—high in protein, easy to transport (after it’s been cooled, it stays non-sticky even when left out), and still yummy!
I love the magic of SCIENCE inherent in this recipe; taking a gooey mess and adding elements that dry it out to a perfect texture.
Peanut Butter Balls
3/4 c peanut butter (cashew butter is good but stickier, so you gotta add more cinnamon and/or coconut if you cashew it up)
2 T maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c oats
1/4 c coconut
2 T dark choc chips
Method:
- Mix everything in a bowl.
- Using your hands, roll into balls (this gets very messy and sticky).
- Place in the fridge until set.
We make this recipe all the time (and of course we always eat one before they set anyways). It’s great for diabetics and low-FODMAP people (low salicylates, not so much). The above pic is the result of a double portion.
Yum Factor: 5 (aka “yes, it contains chocolate”)
Health: 4 (not exactly a salad, but a million times better than just chocolate)
Easy: 3 (heavy to stir but mixes easily; annoying to put into balls)
Will make again? Uh. . . yes. About three times a week until the kids move out. This is one of the five foods they eat willingly AND it counts as a treat (useful, since our household is a treat-based economy).