Energy Bites (Australia) recipe contributed by: Leading stewardess Tumpakdee Jarusiri
Q: How long have you been with SIA?
Jarusiri: I have been with SIA since January 2013, so it has been seven and a half years.
Q: Why do you like cooking and what sparked your interest?
Jarusiri: I love to eat and take care of my health. Our body is like our main home, so I love to enrich my body with quality and healthy food, knowing that my body will thank me for taking care of it.
When I cook, I choose good ingredients and I am particular about cleanliness. Cooking Thai food is the best way to make me feel like I’m back home in Thailand.
Q: Where or how did you discover this energy bites?
Jarusiri: When I flew to Australia Layover Stations, I saw many coffee juice shops were selling this type of energy balls, so I figured I can make them too, while creating them to suit my own taste.
Q: Why is this one of your favourite dishes?
Jarusiri: I like cacao powder, dates and nuts! I also love to exercise, so it’s an energy protein ball that I can have before or after my workouts. It contains many kinds of nuts, which are high in protein, and dates, which are high in fibre and energy. Sometimes, I bring them on board and have them during lull periods as it is a healthy snack.
Q: Does the dish remind you of an SIA destination that you’ve travelled to?
Jarusiri: This reminds me of Sydney. Once when we flew to Sydney, there was a basement food court right beside our hotel that had a variety of dishes. I liked visiting one of the stores called “Top Juice” that sells a variety of healthy foods, for example Greek Yoghurt, Burcher Muesli, Fresh Juices and energy balls.
That was the first time I tried energy balls, and I loved it! It became my go-to chain store to get energy balls every time I visited any Australian city. It is not similar to anything that we serve on board, since the recipe I use contains lots of cacao powder and nuts.
Maybe something like this could be introduced in the future as an in-flight snack, since it is quite filling and gives us energy and nutrients!
Q: What is a recommended wine to pair with this dish?
Mitchelle (air sommelier): Port would go well with this. This snack has natural sweetness from dates and dried fruit. A sweet fortified port with a robust finish would match the richness of the crunchy and nutty snack.
