Sheer bliss!

bliss balls 2

We all need a sweet treat once in a while and if it’s a guilt-free one, then so much the better!

Taken from Clean and Lean for Life : The Cookbook* by best-selling author and wellness guru James Duigan, the recipe for these little Bliss Balls couldn’t be simpler.

Only four ingredients for the basic mix and a few minutes to prepare – blitz up a batch and pop them in the freezer, ready to grab and go as a pre- or post-gym snack or just whenever the mood takes you…

The book also gives six flavour variations, adding ingredients such as a shot of espresso, raw cacao powder, dessicated coconut and orange extract. But the basic mix itself is seriously yummy – don’t just take the girls’ word for it, give it a try!

One of the world’s top personal trainers, James’s client list has included Elle Macpherson, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Hugh Grant to name just a few. If you’re looking for more healthy eating ideas, you’ll find 150 mouthwatering recipes – from breakfasts, lunches and dinners to snacks, desserts and smoothies – in his latest book and plenty of other hints and tips on how to be clean and lean for life on the Bodyism website.

*Published by Kyle Books – RRP £19.99 (Kindle version also available)

Bliss Balls

  • Servings: Makes 10
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

From Clean and Lean for Life : The Cookbook by James Duigan


Ingredients

  • 12 dates, pitted
  • 50gms blanched hazelnuts
  • 1 tablespoon almond butter
  • 1 tablespoon cacao nibs

Directions

  1. Blitz all the ingredients in a food processor.
  2. Roll into balls between the palms of your hands – store in an airtight container in the freezer and just grab and go whenever you want a guilt-free treat!

Festive food without the fuss

Photo by Marilyn Gardner

Photo by Marilyn Gardner

Girls Around Town‘s favourite foodie Lisa Holloway will be back on the show this week with some hints and tips for fuss-free Christmas entertaining.

The owner of Newark’s award-winning Compton House B&B, she has plenty of ideas for super but simple ways to serve up a festive feast. So who better to join June, Tina and Sue in the Barnby Road studio on Saturday, to share some of them with you all?

Tune in or listen online from 10am to 1pm. And meanwhile, to whet your appetite, here’s a recipe Lisa shared with Around Town magazine for an easy pudding which gives a luxurious finale to Christmas lunch…

You can make these little treats two or three days in advance – the recipe serves four but there’ll be some left over and they’re delicious cold too!

Little Chocolate Christmas Puddings

Ingredients

  • 454g plum pudding (either bought or homemade)
  • 250g dark chocolate, melted in a microwave or in a bowl over hot water
  • 130ml brandy
  • 80g icing sugar
  • 200g white chocolate, melted as before
  • Small holly leaves or decorations

Directions

  1. Crumble the pudding into a large bowl, stir in the melted dark chocolate, sifted icing sugar and brandy – mix well.
  2. Roll the mixture into balls, about the size of a rissole, just enough for one person.
  3. Put on a tray and cover, leave to get firm.
  4. To warm, heat gently on a baking tray in a low oven for about 10 to 12 minutes.
  5. When you’re ready to serve, pour the melted white chocolate over the top of the puds to resemble custard. Decorate with little sprigs of holly and serve with double cream.

From plot to plate

asparagus-lime-mintIt’s all about making the most of fresh seasonal produce this week, with hints and tips on what to buy right now and how to cook it from the Girls Around Town‘s guests Katharine Maxey and Lisa Holloway.

Back in February, Maxeys Farm Shop scooped the FARMA Newcomer of the Year Award, so Katharine certainly knows a thing or two about the ‘what to buy‘.

And who better than Lisa – already well known to listeners for her award-winning Compton House B&B and regular appearances on the show – to offer up some suggestions about the ‘how to cook it‘?

Join June and Sue (Tina‘s having a weekend off!) and their two foodie friends on 107.8FM or online from 10am to 1pm on Saturday for plenty of inspiration – and watch this space for some of Lisa’s delicious recipes early next week…