Energy bites are a must-have for hikers. If you are bored of store-bought dry chewy bars, try these delicious homemade espresso date energy balls as a quick hiking snack. With lots of dates and nuts and a touch of coffee and cocoa, these protein-packed sweet treats are a perfect pick-me-up along the trail, even with the low caffeine content. Take a look at the recipe given below and prepare this snack before you leave for your hiking trip.

Nutrition Count (Per 1 ball)

• 109 calories

• 2g protein

Ingredients (For 15 balls)

• Medjool dates, pitted, 1 cup

• Almonds, Walnuts, or any other nuts of choice, ¼ cup

• Almond butter, 2 tbsp.

• Maple syrup/Honey, 1 tbsp.

• Cocoa powder, ¼ cup

• Espresso powder, 2 tsp.

• Rolled oats, ¼ cup

• Salt, ¼ tsp.

• Cacao nibs, 1 tbsp. (Optional)

Method

• First, add all ingredients except the maple syrup/honey and cacao nibs to a food processor. Blend for 1-3 minutes in high speed, scraping down the sides as needed in between.

• Once the mixture becomes fine crumbs, add maple syrup or honey and the cacao nibs. Blend for another minute. The mixture should feel cohesive after that.

• You can adjust the timing of blending as per your choice. If you prefer crunchier balls with a coarse consistency, stop here. For a smoother consistency, keep blending the mixture.

• Next, scrape out all the mixture and take 1-2 tbsp. it onto your palm. Roll the dough in even-sized balls.

• Place the balls carefully on a plate over a baking sheet and put the plate in the freezer for at least an hour.

• Finally, remove the balls from the baking sheet and store them in an air-tight container in the freezer. Your espresso date energy balls are ready to be plucked out at any time or be packed in a sealed bag for your hike. Bon appetite!

Aside from its breathtaking coastline and colorful architecture, Portugal has so much more to offer. This Portuguese seafood rice recipe is a staple of national cuisine and a must-try for every food lover!

Ingredients

Although there are many variations to the Portuguese seafood rice recipe, you will find the necessary ingredients for the classic recipe below. Feel free to add shrimps and other seafood favorites you may have.

• 10 ounces of fresh small clams (in shells)
• 10 ounces of fresh small mussels (in shells)
• 17 ounces of raw prawns
• 6 crab legs
• 1 halved lobster
• 6 small chopped shallots
• 125 ml extra virgin olive oil
• 2 peppers and 2 chillies
• 1 bunch of parsley
• 8 chopped garlic cloves
• 1 onion
• 300 ml of tomato passata
• 200 ml white wine
• 400gr long grain parboiled rice
• ½ tablespoon of piri piri
• 500 ml hot vegetable stock
• 1 bay leaf
• 250 ml hot fish stock
• 1 tablespoon butter

How to Prepare the Portuguese Seafood Rice Recipe

The Rice

Heat four tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan and saute the peppers and onion. Stir in nicely, and then add the parsley and half of the garlic. Wait for a bit and add the piri piri, chopped chilies, and the tomato. Simmer for five minutes and then put in the rice. Stir in for a minute and then pour half of the wine and let it sizzle.

The Seafood

After you’ve cleaned the clams and mussels, as well as removed the heads of the prawns, it’s time to get a large flat pot. Saute the remaining garlic, bay leaf, and half of the chilies in the remaining olive oil. After a minute, add the prawns and lobster. Simmer for a few minutes before you add the mussels, clams, and the rest of the white wine. Keep on high heat for five minutes and season with pepper and salt.

Final Preparation

Add the content of the seafood pot into the rice saucepan together with the fish and vegetable stock. Let it simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the chopped parsley and butter. Enjoy your Portuguese seafood rice dish immediately!