In about November last year I got a bit of a hot weather cold/chest infection thing and deemed it unsafe to go to the gym. I'll say that I was being considerate to fellow gym members and not wanting to spread the germs (that's my story and I'm sticking to it). Then December rolled around and the weather was so nice that I much preferred walking outside to being inside the stinky gym so I put my membership on hold until after my beach break.
On Monday morning I got straight back to it. Let's just say I've had trouble lifting my cup to my mouth and sitting without lowering myself into the chair like an old woman ever since. It has been tough. My re-introduction to the gym has been made slightly easier by their new addition - free wi-fi. Ok I'm being 100% sarcastic. Why would anyone possibly want wi-fi at the gym? I would much rather my fees went towards and extra set of 4 & 5kg weights so that my gym friend and I don't have to compete for them every morning.
I was even more annoyed when I drove past yesterday and saw a huddle of people across the road on their laptops making use of the wi-fi. I'm not impressed and of course I've sent off an email to the gym to let them know.
Despite my love-hate relationship with the gym, being a food blogger and doing a lot of eating means visiting there a couple of times a week is a must unless I want to buy a whole new wardrobe the next size up ever month or so.
Over Christmas I totally indulged. What's a holiday without enjoying everything it has to offer? I probably should have shared my macadamia truffle recipe before Christmas but it's good for any time of the year really. Originally peanut butter truffles, these were Australian-ified with some Aussie nuts.
I've been saving my macadamia butter up for something special the second I saw this recipe I knew it was the one. There's not all that much work involved in making these little morsels of choc-nutty goodness.
All you have to do is mix everything up.
Then roll/squish the mixture into balls and let them set.
Then dip them in melted chocolate, sprinkle with some extra crushed macadamias for show and leave them to set.
I wrapped mine up as little party bags for our Christmas party last year. Egg cartons are just the right size for holding the little cases and the bits poking out that separate the eggs hold the cellophane away from the topping so the nuts don't get knocked off.
Inside the truffle is quite a treat. Under the glossy dark chocolate layer you will find a crunchy centre that snaps, crackles and pops. Just one is enough to satisfy any sweet craving. Enjoy!
What about you? What do you think anyone could possibly need wi-fi at a gym for?
Macadamia truffles
- 1 cup macadamia butter
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 2 tablespoon cocoa
- 2 cups rice bubbles
- 1 ½ cups roasted macadamia nuts, crumbled
- 200g dark chocolate
- 1 tablespoon butter
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and macadamia butter together until smooth.
- Add the icing sugar and cocoa and beat them through.
- Add the crumbled nuts (except about 2 tbsp) and rice bubbles and mix just until combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl and refrigerate for at least and hour.
- Line a tray with baking paper.
- Form the mixture into small balls and place on the tray then pop it back in the fridge for an hour.
- Melt the chocolate together with the butter.
- Cool until it slightly thickens.
- Dunk each ball in the melted chocolate and shake to remove the excess then put them on the lined tray.
- Sprinkle the top of each ball with the rest of the crumbled nuts.
- Return them to the fridge to set.
- Put each truffle into a small cupcake case.
Erin @ she cooks, she gardens says
Yum! Oh man these look so tasty. Our oven finally gave up on life just before New Years and I am (im)patiently awaiting the arrival of our new beast. Meantime, all I can think about is baking. Boo! These seem like the perfect happy medium though and I love the inclusion of rice bubbles.
I joined a gym shortly after Christmas for the reasons you've outlined above and am really enjoying it, though I am breaking it up with walks in the national park/down the beach etc. As for the free wi-fi... The only reason I would find it useful is for streaming music on my phone, or maybe use some kind of workout app for use in the weights area? I don't know though, seems kind of frivolous.
Claire says
Frivolous is exactly what it is! That's no good about your oven. I hope it arrives soon!
Christine @ Cooking Crusade says
These look great and so cute Claire! I love how you wrapped them in the egg cartons :)
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
At our old house we had an indoor exercise pool and gym. Stop laughing. I can hear you all the way up here. and yes, we built the house. LOL I misunderstood the gym gear salesman. I missed the bit where he said you have to actually USE the equipment for it to do you any good.
I love these truffles! I could see me on the exercise bike now. Watching tv.. slowly riding with no strain and eating one of these truffles. :)
Claire says
Yes unfortunately just having them in the house doesn't help. So unfair! That would be a very wise way to enjoy them. They'd cancel each other out right?
The Café Sucré Farine says
Claire, these are so amazing, now I'm thinking you should add a little candy shop over on the side of your bakery. Beautiful!!! Oh, and even though I am a little old lady, I need to get back to working out and for at least a few days, looking and acting even more like one! Those muscles really let us know when we haven't used them for awhile, don't they? :)
Claire says
You're no little old lady Chris! We could open the bakery together. Oh how delicious it would be!
Hotly Spiced says
I love the look of these, Claire, and that's such a clever idea to us egg cartons to secure them properly. I used to go to the gym but I've recently given up my gym membership as I prefer swimming. But that's not to say I've been swimming all that often! xx
Claire says
I'm going to try it out for baby cupcakes to Charlie I think it would be really cute! If I had room to have some weights and maybe a cardio machine at home I'd ditch the gym tomorrow! x
Stephanie @ henry happened says
Seriously, no baking? That's my kind of recipe! I just reintroduced myself to the gym too - yeah, I can't really sit either...
Claire says
No baking at all Stephanie. It's an awful feeling isn't it although at least you know you worked hard!
Jess says
We have a teeny little gym in our apartment building that I like because there's so rarely anyone else in there, but even IT has wi-fi! I've definitely never tested it, but there's a sign up that attests as much. In a couple years there won't be anywhere you can go without wi-fi access - I agree, it's strange. Worth the trip though for a few of these. Do you think you can use peanut or almond butter? Macadamia butter seems like one of those things I'll never be able to find here....
Claire says
You're right it will just be wi-fi everywhere. You can most definitely make them with peanut butter and peanuts. That's how the original recipe was but I changed it up for an Aussie version.