Granola Balls Recipe

Vegetarians are known for eating granola, but often the granola they eat comes in the form of highly processed commercial granola bars. These homemade granola cookies are very quick to make since they do not require cooking. They are loaded with healthy raw nuts and dried fruit, so they are a nutrient dense, energy packed, quick snack. If you leave out the few chocolate chips I call for, they also contain no sugar,(but I have to satisfy the chocolate craving once in a while). Raw brazil nuts are an excellent source of selenium which is a known immune booster and cancer preventative, and raw sunflower seeds and almond butter contain lots of vitamin e, also a known cancer preventative when eaten in food and not as a synthetic supplement. Raw nuts should be stored in the freezer till you are ready to use them.

Granola Balls

In food processor grind till fine:

1/2 cup raw brazil nuts

1/4 cup raw almonds

1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds

In a separate bowl mix:

3-4 T. raw almond butter

1/4 tsp. real vanilla extract

1 T. organic non-dutched cocoa

Then add the

nuts

1/2 cup dried blueberries

1 T. shredded coconut

1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Mix well, roll into balls the size of a small walnut. Enjoy, or if time allows chill - they taste great cold.

This recipe has been entered at

http://www.gelskitchen.com/blog/no-time-to-cook/nttc-may-2009-chocolate-challenge/

If you have a great chocolate recipe that takes under 20 min. enter her no time to cook challenge!