Little angel or little devil balls
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Author Notes: ...aka cocoa nut date balls. Working with raw ingredients and inspired by Merrill's demo of almond meal, and not without echoes of those holiday bourbon balls in my head, here is my inspiration. These will not make you tipsy, though. You can roll these in Aleppo pepper or coconut as one finish. I tried to eat just one, but found that three were far more satisfying. To those who can't eat nuts, I have just made an experiment with fresh garbanzo beans: They taste more garden-like, so cutting down the amount to 1/2 cup or less might work....that will need some more testing. Just did some research online to find that there is a vegan product with great organic ingredients like flax and sunflower seeds in this same type of date-nut ball, known as Dr. Fuhrman's "pop'ems," available in several flavors. Cashews and almonds are combined with walnuts; I haven't tried them, but would like to now. I may be revising this recipe to make it healthier after more experimenting. Getting some flax in these does sound like a good idea. - Sagegreen
Makes 10-12 balls
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest in juice (or substitute bourbon or rum)
- 1 teaspoon bourbon or rum (or more orange juice and zest for nonalcoholic version)
- 1 tablespoon grated peeled ginger
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa (powder)
- 5 medjool dates, pitted and sliced in half
- 3/4 cups walnut meat, crushed
- tiny pinch of sea salt
- @ 3-4 tablespoons Aleppo pepper, unsweetened coconut, ground almonds, or just plain cocoa powder for dusting like a truffle
- 12 spriglets of fresh mint
- In the order given add the ingredients through the sea salt in a blender or food processor. Mix until everything comes together, for about a minute or two. Chill for about an hour.
- Divide, squish, and roll the batter in your hands to form ten to twelve small balls. Place the Aleppo pepper, coconut, almond meal, or cocoa in a saucer; roll each ball in your choice to finish. There are many variations. You could try a citrus salt or fleur de sel as other options.
- You can serve chilled in candy cups with a weensy sprig of fresh mint or on toothpicks.
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Dish in the Raw
Tags: a bit sweet, but not too sweet
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almost 2 years ago susan g
I pick #4 photo. I love the Aleppo effect. You sent me back to Diet for a Small Planet to look for Tiger's Candy, which I made for a son with food restrictions. Now here we are, Balls for the 21st century. Yum!
almost 2 years ago Sagegreen
Thanks, susan g. I love the theme this week!
almost 2 years ago wssmom
You are the cleverest ever!
almost 2 years ago Sagegreen
Aw, thanks, wssmom!
almost 2 years ago lapadia
Here Kitty, Kitty...♥Cats! Love the recipe and its name :)
almost 2 years ago Sagegreen
Thanks, lapadia! I stand by my small addition of olive oil and bourbon. I just don't like the versions that eliminates both, kitties as witness!
almost 2 years ago boulangere
Cynthia is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
LOL! Just found the one of your cat, who may be demanding royalty payments soon, looking relatively indifferent to these beauties.
almost 2 years ago Sagegreen
Thanks. Whenever I go out to photograph, he comes out of the wilderness to investigate. Yes, these were met with cool indifference...but I was really excited about them.
almost 2 years ago boulangere
Cynthia is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
Allergic to many of your ingredients, but seriously Sarah Shatz quality photograph!
almost 2 years ago Sagegreen
Wow, thanks, boulangere. Now that is quite a compliment!
almost 2 years ago boulangere
Cynthia is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
No exaggeration.
almost 2 years ago boulangere
Cynthia is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
If it doesn't turn up in the collection of the contest's best photos, I'm going to have a chat with the judges.
almost 2 years ago Sagegreen
Thanks, but I haven't been turning up lately!
almost 2 years ago sdebrango
Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Love date nut balls and what a beautiful picture!!!
almost 2 years ago Sagegreen
Thanks, sdebrango. I was pleased with my blender results.