I am a big fan of one-pot meals, especially ones I can put in the rice cooker and leave them to do their thing. The other night I threw a cup of brown rice, a can of rinsed kidney beans, a cup of canned coconut milk, a cup of water, my leftover three-ingredient tomato sauce, and half a veggie bullion cube in the rice cooker.
Along with about 1/4 cup of split peas, because well why not?
About 40 minutes later I had the creamiest, mildly tomato-y, protein packed red beans and rice, that I served with some leftover brussels sprouts.
That same night I wanted to create a little somethin’ somethin’ healthy but snacky, and I threw together these quick energy balls, based on a recipe from the loveliest Kristina!
I stirred together a cup of peanut butter, 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce, and 2 tablespoons cacao powder until a doughy substance came together.
Then I poured in some millet puffs, probably 1/3 to 1/2 cup.
I formed a big ball out of it all.
And pieced that out into smaller snack-size balls.
I suspected the millet puffs might get soggy from the applesauce, and I was right, but they still taste fine! Next time I’ll probably use oats or something more hearty as the add in.
Tomorrow I’ll be showing you a couple of awwwwwwesome dips I made, and my first attempt at using chard leaves for wraps!
I’m drawing a blank on a question for you all… so, uh… tell me some good news! Or a joke. Or your favorite quote. Just talk to me. I love you guys. 🙂
❤ C
Purple Bird Blog 
You should try quinoa flakes, they’re higher in protein and nutrients and will hold up well in the protein ball application. Naturally gluten free as well.
Thanks for the tip Rachel! xoxo
Bsprout! I’m cooking up some more bsprouts tonight! Rice cooker seems to be a good idea……
Bsprout in the hizzouse! 😉
I don’t if amaranth is GF or not, but it’s in prana bars & those are super good.
Here’s a funny for ya (or perhaps, a scary…lol) – A kid in COLLEGE tried to convince me AK wasn’t a state….Um WHAT homeboy?!
Dinner looks delicious! I love how you just added more beans ’cause why not? That is awesome! Ya gotta love when randomness comes together to make something yummy! I hope you have a great night!
You can never go wrong with PB and chocolate! I swear I can taste those balls (um) and I’m imagining them tasting like Tagalongs!
LOL! They really kind of do! 🙂
YUM energy balls… mine are just like this, minus the applesauce, and the millet puffs didn’t get soggy. maybe we ate the too fast 😉
and minus the brussels, that looks YUM !! 😀
Well sh*t, did I totally inadvertently steal a recipe of yours?? Send me the link to yours and I’ll hook it up. I read so many things that sometimes I’m not sure what’s my idea and what’s not!! 😉
Nevermind, I found it… linking it up now!! 😉
On Tue, Feb 8, 2011 at 6:25 PM, Purplebird Christin wrote:
> Well sh*t, did I totally inadvertently steal a recipe of yours?? Send me > the link to yours and I’ll hook it up. I read so many things that sometimes > I’m not sure what’s my idea and what’s not!! 😉 > >
no no no!! totally not what I meant! these things are all over the place!! 🙂 just thought that maybe applesauce was making the millet soggy.
XXO
I know that not what you meant, but going back and looking at the post you did, I totally commented it, so the seed was definitely planted by you! 😉
the rice looks fabulous! And so does that mega ball. I would have eaten it like that…
Here is a joke: Why did the chicken cross the Möbius strip? To get to the same side.
*giggle!!*
I really had no idea you could make a complete meal in a rice cooker. I always thought it could only be used to cook, well, rice. I’ve seen other people cook oats in it but never a meal like yours. Looks great!
delicious looking eats as always 🙂
something good…hmmm…..oh! i know! ok, so it’s winter. in seattle. that means the sun is barely EVER out. surprisingly i’m getting used to it.
BUT, today the sun was out, and it was out until 5:30pm!!!! woooo-freakin’-hoo!!
ah…i soaked it up and let my favorite star activate some vitamin D.
it was nice 🙂
If I lived up there I would have to have a happy light… I don’t know how my family does it! I’m SO glad the sun came out for you!!
Your dinner is beautiful! I love those colors together, and really love coconut milk in most everything.
The balls look yummy too!
Ok, here’s my contribution. I think it’s a Swedish proverb:
Fear less, hope more
Eat less, chew more
Whine less, breathe more
Talk less, say more
Love more, and all good things will be yours
Have a fab night 🙂
I LOVE that! ❤
Aha! The brussel sprouts strike again! Dinner looks great! I love easy one pot suppers.
I got some news for ya! I just got your email and I frickin’ LOVE you!! 😉
One of my favorite quotes: “I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.”
-John Burrows
Ahh, I can’t wait to see your chard wraps!
Hehehe, love you too ladyyyyyyy! xo
aww, loved your closing – no need for a question! Those balls look YUM! All my jokes are “dirty”, so maybe I’ll share a bit of good news (if you can call it that): today I came home to a clean house, freshly washed, folded & hung up clothes (even the socks were matched!) and dishes done with a clean sink! Gotta love that!
That RULES! What I wouldn’t do for the same! 😉