One day Katie brought some peanut butter balls to work for a snack. I loved them; they contained peanut butter, honey, oats and protein powder. You mix it up, refrigerate it and then roll into balls. I then discovered they are called energy bites and there are a few recipes for them online.
I've been making my own version, because you can't beat them for the ease of making, and something quick and filling to eat. Mine has no protein powder; I use equal parts of p.b. and rolled oats, plus some quick oats. I often add cocoa powder and a small amount of honey - two or three teaspoons. Maybe some sesame seeds. I wouldn't say they're delicious like the original, but they're good enough for me.
The other day I had a recipe which called for semi-dried tomatoes. Never heard of 'em! So, I looked for a recipe. The BBC is actually where I found this, and I've made it twice since. This will take a bunch of unremarkable supermarket plum tomatoes (I mean the out-of-season ones) and turn them into something worthwhile. You just slice them lengthwise, lay them cut sides up on a baking sheet, brush cut edges with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano, basil, Italian seasoning...whatever. Cook in the oven at 275 for 2 - 3 hours. Don't make them on a hot day!
Smoosh them into a jar, and top with olive oil. They'll wait for you in the fridge until you need them to jazz up a salad or whatever. Yesterday I had some cod and they came in very handy for that.
I will definitely be trying those peanut butter balls!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing--both of these look really yummy (but definitely not together ;).
ReplyDeleteI bet those PB balls would be good for hiking/backpacking! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI often use Italian sun-dried tomatoes (I think these are virtually the same as your semi-dried toms) in salads or with rice - a really lovely concentrated flavour.
ReplyDeleteNow, Clare, you have me thinking... we certainly have sun-dried tomatoes at the store, and I wonder if this recipe just calls them by a different name? Because they're practically the same thing.
DeleteBeth and Jenny - the original recipe would be tastier than the one I make. It's something like: a half cup of peanut butter, one third cup of honey, one quarter cup of protein powder, two tablespoons of oats. I used way more oats because I needed to stiffen it up.
ReplyDeleteBeth, they're better chilled which helps them hold together and not become sticky. But you can try bring them hiking!