Vegetarian Cuisine

SIVANANDA COOKIES – Oatmeal Raisin

These large energy packed cookies are a standard after asana class treat at Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres around the world. These cookies are basically vegan oatmeal raisin cookies with oats, whole wheat flour and whatever nuts and dried fruits there is to add. They are very nutritious and make a meal in themselves. Makes 12 cookies.

Ingredients

1/3 cup chopped almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, dried unsweetened coconut or a mix of all three
3 cups rolled oats (not instant oats)
¾ cup whole wheat flour
¾ cup brown sugar
1 ½ tsp cinnamon
1 ½ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp baking powder
1/3 cup raisins, dates or cranberries, or a mix of all three
1/3 cup chopped dried apricots or candied ginger
¾ cup coconut oil
¾ cup water

Directions

1. Heat oven to 400F.
2. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper, slightly oiled.
3. Add the nut mixture to the food processor and process until the nuts are ground into smaller pieces.
4. In a large bowl, mix the rest of the dry ingredients together thoroughly.
5. Add the nut mixture to the bowl with the dry ingredients.
6. Add the water and oil and stir until it forms loose dough. If it still seems dry add a little more water.
7. Form ping pong ball size lumps of dough, place them on two parchment paper lined, oiled cookie sheets and flatten slightly.
8. Bake 12 to 15 minutes until golden and crisp at the edges.
9. Cooking time in a 400C oven will vary depending on the size. Really big ones to pack for lunch should bake for 20 minutes.

This recipe is an edited contribution for the Sivananda Gurugram, sourced from The Yoga Cookbook: Food for Body and Mind – Recipes from the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres 1999.

The Yogic practice will give you success if you observe Mouna, Mitahara and practice of Japa and meditation. – Sri Swami Sivananda