Good Food Guide: Rocket Fuel Millet Energy Bars
[Every Thursday, we feature recipes for wholesome meals that use climate-friendly foods such as millets and native grains from across India. Send in your recipes to editor(at)earthamag(dot)org.]
Energy bars are convenient to have handy for that 4 PM fix or as a quick on-the-go snack, but they can be full of added sugar, additives and other not-so-great ingredients. This recipe is healthy, quick (there's almost no cooking involved) and so easy, it can be made by even the most culinarily challenged.
What you'll need
- 1 cup sticky, seedless dates
- 1/2 cup foxtail millets
- 1/3 cups almonds
- 1/3 cup raisins
- 2 tablespoons desiccated coconut
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons ghee
- 1 tablespoon flax seeds
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoons black raisins
- 1/2 tablespoon powdered cinnamon.
Directions
Roast the foxtail millets and flaxseeds together on a low flame. Set aside a tablespoon of the mix to use later.
In a dry blender, grind the millets, flaxseeds and chia seeds. Add the dates, desiccated coconut, cinnamon powder and half the raisins, and grind to a smooth paste. Transfer the mixture to a dry bowl.
Put in the ghee and stir to get a smooth paste-like consistency. Add the crushed almonds, remaining raisins, black kishmish, cocoa powder and knead the ingredients together. Dust the base of a box with a tablespoon of the roasted millets and desiccated coconut. Spoon in the kneaded mixture and press evenly.
Refrigerate for 15 minutes before turning the set mixture on to a plate. Cut into 2.5 by 1 inch bars. These energy bars keep well for up to 2 weeks when stored at room temperature.
Photographs ©Anita Bisnal.
