Rookies

Rookies, otherwise known as ‘raw cookies’

I’m not anti-sugar, a little bit of the sweet stuff can bring joy to the soul from time to time, but many of us eat far too much of the stuff. 

I was a sugar junkie for many years, but too much sugar in the diet is very detrimental to our health. It causes inflammation and can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, depression, it can accelerate cellular and skin ageing and also cognitive decline and it causes slumps in our energy.

But sometimes we just want a little sweetness in our day, that’s were my ‘Rookies’ come in. Delicious with a cuppa or a coffee and rather than cause an energy slump they are packed full of protein, good fats and fibre to keep your energy balanced and you dancing through your day. 

Date, Apricot and Cardamom

Ingredients
*150g Medjool dates, pitted

*5 cardamom pods, seeds removed

*3tbsp LSA

*Finely grated orange zest

50g natural, organic dried apricots, chopped

for the coating
2tbs pistachios, very finely chopped

Walnut and Raisin

Ingredients
*120g organic dates

*2tbs smooth almond butter

*1/2tsp cinnamon

*2tbsp LSA

50g walnuts, chopped

30g raisins

for the coating
2tbs very finely chopped almonds 
or
A few squares of 80-100% dark chocolate, melted

Method
Put all ingredients with a * into a food processor and pulse to combine. You will need to scrape the sides down between pulses. If the mixture is too thick you can add a little water, but go carefully, teaspoon at at time. If its too wet add some more LSA. You want it soft but not too sticky.

Add the remaining ingredient, but not the coating yet.

Take heaped teaspoons, rolling in ball in a dampened hand. Press to flatten in to a cookie shape about 3cm in diameter. Coat in the chopped nuts or dip half in the chocolate and place in the fridge to chill for about 15 mins.

They will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week.