LCBO_Food_&_Drink_-_Spring_2020

78 SPRING 2020 FOOD & DRINK

RAISING THE BAR

FOR EVENSIZED BALLS, USE A SMALL COOKIE

DOUGH SCOOP TO MEASURE OUT EACH PORTION.

PEANUT BUTTER,

BANANA & CINNAMON

ENERGY BITES

What makes these energy bites

special is the combination of tex-

tures. The addition of puff ed rice

makes for a much lighter consis-

tency compared to your average

protein ball. The puff ed rice

also adds a little crunch to each

bite. The banana brings a natural

sweetness to the fi lling, making

this recipe a great low-added

sugar alternative. Use the ripest

banana you can get your hands

on; the riper the banana, the

sweeter the result!

1 large ripe banana, mashed

⁄ cup (175 mL) natural creamy

peanut butter

⁄ cup (60 mL) pure maple syrup

1 tsp (5 mL) pure vanilla extract

⁄ cup (60 mL) hemp hearts

⁄ teaspoon (2 mL) ground

cinnamon

1 pinch sea salt

2 cups (500 mL) brown rice puff s

or puff ed quinoa, plus more for

rolling

1 Place banana, peanut butter,

maple syrup, vanilla, hemp hearts,

cinnamon and sea salt in a food

processor. Blend until mixture

begins to come together, about

60 seconds. Add puff ed rice and

pulse a few times. Refrigerate for

30 minutes to fi rm.

2 Shape mixture into 15 bite-sized

balls. Roll each ball in puff ed rice.

3 Refrigerate until ready to eat.

Store in an airtight container for

up to a week.

Makes 15 bites

Vega n +

gluten-free