Chia Power Bliss Balls

Close up of hand placing chia seed balls onto parchment paper with a white bowl in the background.
Jonathan Moore and Aubrey Janelle selfie, both wearing backpacks and waterproof jackets, with the mountains in the background.

Jonathan Moore and Aubrey Janelle

28 & 26, Portland, OR

Jon is a commercial and documentary photographer, Creative Director at The Beans and Rice, and advocate for environmental responsibility. At the heart of his work, he’s driven by a strong sense of narrative. Aubrey Janelle is a lifestyle photographer living in Portland, Oregon. With a passion for journalism, her focus lies in creating a narrative that is authentic and alluring.

A Taste of Wild - Pacific Northwest

Jon Moore and Aubrey Gigandet bring you restaurant-worthy recipes you can make on the road, inspired by their travels in the Pacific Northwest.

Chia Power Bliss Balls

With a gasp, we hiked through the thick evergreens onto an open cliff into a world wrapped with water and sky. And for a minute, we stood, gazing over the timeless Pacific as it churned. Then I wiped my brow, threw my heavy pack to the ground, and let my shoulders relax. I was tired. Aubrey was tired too, but smiling. And then she handed me an on-the-go nutrition bar. And as I tore into the plastic, the list of ingredients on the back of the wrapper caught my eye.

“We should make our own,” she said.

She read my mind.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup dried dates or figs
  • 1/2 cup hazelnuts or other nuts
  • 1/2 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 2 tablespoon oats
  • 4 tablespoons nut butter
  • 2 teaspoons cocoa powder

COOKING TOOLS

  • Mortar and Pestle (or food processor)
  • Cutting board
  • Chef’s knife
  • Medium bowl
  • Reusable wax paper

METHOD

Crush the nuts and oats into a fine dust using the mortar and pestle. Set aside in the medium bowl.

Using your mortar and pestle, mash the dates or figs into a smooth paste.

Add the paste to the medium bowl and mix all ingredients thoroughly.

Take a tablespoon of dough at a time and roll into balls.

Yields 8 pieces.

Various bowls and jars on a granite countertop, includes dates, chia seeds, hazelnuts, oats and nut butter.
A food processor works, but the mortar and pestle scores style points.
Woman using a mortar and pestle to grind hazelnuts, with mason jars and a white bowl.
Techniques like pounding work best for larger ingredients like hazelnuts but mashing and grinding is better for the others.
Close up of hands slicing dried dates with a knife on a cutting board.
Chop the dried fruit before adding to the mortar and pestle.
Hands rolling chia seed dough into small balls and placing them on bees' wax paper.
Personally, we love using the new, reusable bees’ wax paper for storage. Add your bliss balls, fold the wax paper and use the heat from your hands to seal the package.