Seeds have all kind of good fats, fiber, vitamins, and health benefits. So why not include more of these little nutritional gems in your diet? A great place to start is with tasty snacks and sweet desserts. Here are some ideas and recipes for using seeds.
1 – Popcorn and Seeds
Here is a great snack for the hiking trail, especially if friends are coming along – this recipe makes about 20 cups.
Pop:
1 cup popcorn
In a heavy skillet on medium heat, add enough Canola oil to coat the bottom of the skillet.
Add:
1/4 cup peanuts
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds (hulled)
1/4 cup sesame seeds
Stir nuts and seeds in the hot skillet for a few minutes.
Add:
1/2 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
Stir until coconut begins to roast and brown, then remove from heat and stir the popped corn into the nut and seed mixture.
Then stir in:
1/2 cup raw honey
1/4 cup melted butter
Spread the mixture on a parchment paper-covered cookie sheet and bake at 325 for about 10 minutes (or until dry to the touch).
2 – Cheesy Flaxseed Wafers
These tangy, crispy wafers are a tasty way to include flaxseeds in your diet. This recipe makes about 3 dozen.
In a bowl, mix together with two knives, fork, or pastry blender:
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup butter
When mixture resembles fine crumbs, add:
1/4 cup flaxseeds
1 cup grated, sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 teaspoon red pepper
Mix and form into a ball, then refrigerate for about an hour (or until firm). Roll into individual, 1-inch balls and flatten them between your hands. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.
3 – Carob-cocoa Dessert Balls with Hemp
Here’s a healthy dessert you can really feel good about eating! This makes about 2 dozen balls.
In a blender or food processor, grind to a fine consistency:
1 cup raw, unsalted cashews
Add:
1/2 cup cold-pressed coconut oil
Blend well, then add:
1 cup carob powder
1 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup hemp seeds
1 tablespoon spirulina powder (optional)
1/3 cup raw honey; adjust to taste
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Blend until mixture has a dough-like consistency. Form into bite-sized balls, and, if desired, roll in shredded coconut. Freeze for several hours, then serve.
You can include seeds in some of your regular recipes. Any dessert “ball” can be rolled in seeds, and seeds add crunch to cookies. Top sweet breads with poppy seeds or hemp seeds, and toss some sesame seeds or sunflower seeds into your home-made granola recipe.
