When you fancy a little something...

Do you sometimes wish you could still eat tasty sweet or salty treats without having the guilt of eating unhealthy foods?

This is something that year 3 bachelor of culinary arts students Mel Margison and Macaela Prosser Welsh have been investigating as part of their ''Ahua'' business venture.

Using Macaela's dietary and Mel's science backgrounds, they combine their skills to educate the public about conquering food cravings with nutritionally complete food choices.

For example, if you are craving chocolate it could mean you need more magnesium in your diet.

Today for Cooking 101 we make magnesium-packed bliss balls that have a delightful chocolate flavour and great health benefits.

Bliss balls

Makes 20-25

Ingredients
115g walnuts
90g almonds
150g dried dates, soaked in hot water for 15 minutes
150g dried cranberries
25g flaxseed
10ml vanilla
35g cocoa
cocoa powder or freeze-dried
raspberry powder to dust

Method

1. This is a super easy and quick recipe! Begin by measuring all ingredients (remember to soak the dates so they blend more easily), then place into a blender or kitchen processer and blend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Remove and shape into balls, using a large tablespoon of mixture for each ball.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Dust with freeze-dried raspberry powder or roll in cocoa to finish. Finally store in an airtight container so they don't dry out.

If you would like to request a particular technique we haven't already shown, please let us know.

Write to Cooking 101, Editorial Features, Otago Daily Times, PO Box 181, Dunedin or email odt.features@odt.co.nz with cooking 101 in the subject line.

To check earlier Cooking 101 columns visit: www.odt.co.nz and search for ''cooking 101''. More information on cooking from Otago Polytechnic can be found on www.otagocookeryl4.blogspot.com