What happens when you mix a career in personal training with a love of Indian cooking? In Marshall Tully’s case, you get Muscle Masala, a nutritionally complete cookie packed with protein — 20 grams, to be exact — and punctuated with spices like cardamom, saffron and ginger. Tully recently started selling the preservative-free treat at a handful of coffee shops around the city, including Dark Horse Espresso Bar and Thor Espresso Bar.
The personal trainer-slash-chef spent years perfecting his recipe for a health-conscious meal-on-the-go. His first attempts resulted in what he describes as expensive dog treats. Tully knew he had gotten it right when he got good reviews from some high-profile clients at TIFF last year.
The cookies currently come in two flavours: chocolate cherry cardamom and vanilla fig saffron. The fresh, mostly-organic ingredients include almond meal, whey protein, cottage cheese, coconut and unsweetened apple sauce. A box of 12 costs $29, plus $15 for shipping, or, shell out $3.70 for one at Dark Horse. In total, Tully says it’s about the equivalent of what you would expect to pay for store-bought protein bars.
With plans for a full website launch soon, Tully’s already taking orders by phone and email.
Muscle Masala, 416-703-3682
