What Would You Likely Try Out As an Added /Subbed Ingredient Here?

I just read this recipe that popped up when I did a search for a Whole Foods item from my past, ~ Joe's Chocolate Lemon candies? I am intrigued, and various ideasforadditions are rising to the top: sub chopped prunes for dates, cocoa nibs, smoked chopped almonds rather than walnuts; dried cranberries, minced candied orange or orange zest as a full or partial sub for lemon; brown rice puffs, nix the coconut........... Yay! Back to the Sandbox!

Whole Foods Lemon Treats
1 cup chopped pitted dates
•1 cup raw walnuts
•1 cup sesame seeds
•1/4 cup lemon juice
•2 teaspoons lemon zest
•1/2 cup unsweetened dried coconut flakes

LeBec Fin
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  • 10 Comments

10 Comments

LeBec F. March 10, 2019
wow,tt, your Hot Ticket status just zoomed to Fireball!!
1] so what do you think of THIS recipe?that i want to tweak.
2]you know that cooking dates in a saucepan, will yield date puree, yes?
3] what about, for you, using prunes instd. of apricots, for a deeper flavor, and orange zest/juice?)
4]when i was in the 8th grade, i discovered date, pecan and rice krispie balls [ w/ SUGAR-YIKES!!], rolled in conf. sugar. fun fact? they were made by the woman whose toddler i babysat, and she was the wife of my Dentist!!!
 
Ttrockwood March 11, 2019
I think the sesame seeds are weird here, i would swap in cashews which would compliment the walnuts better. Looks like a good recipe and combo.
For the dates soak in hot water, when water is room temp drain them then proceed with adding to food processor or whatever- no need to cook in a saucepan.
Dates in a saucepan don’t become puree until you use an immersion blender, they don’t fall apart easily.
If you want to use prunes do half dates and half prunes, the dates are very sticky and might fall apart with all prunes.
Swapping to orange instead of lemon would be fine and delicious I’m sure, the lemon with walnut is just a more classic flavor combo
 
LeBec F. March 11, 2019
great thinking. but pecans for me, not walnuts. and your "Dates in a saucepan don’t become puree until you use an immersion blender"---Not so! those date balls i made as a teen: cook dates and sugar in saucepan and stir to a heated puree. girlscouts' honor.
 
Ttrockwood March 9, 2019
There’s a whole genre of these recipes, most pop up as “raw energy balls” or “homemade larabars”.
The basic formula is using the soaked blended dates as the sweetner and glue plus whatever add ins.
Make you life easier and get your hands wet before rolling into balls! Note these are best kept in the fridge or freezer.

I make these a lot, some versions of anyhow. My favorite combo is using half dates and half dried apricots, soaked and drained then blended, with some rolled oats, almond butter, sliced almonds, a few drops of vanilla extract, and a good pinch of salt. The salt is important!

I keep in the freezer and then bring with me as a snack when biking or have as an early morning snack before the gym.
 
LeBec F. March 9, 2019
p.s. Method:
Place dates, walnuts, sesame seeds, lemon juice and zest in a food processor. Pulse and blend until completely mixed. The mixture will be slightly sticky. With dampened hands, roll tablespoons of the mixture into balls. Roll in coconut and chill until ready to serve.
Nutritional Info:
Per Serving: Serving size: 1 lemon treat, 140 calories (100 from fat), 11g total fat, 2.5g saturated fat, 5mg sodium, 10g carbohydrates, (3 g dietary fiber, 7g sugar), 4g protein.
 
Nancy March 9, 2019
Poppy seeds for the sesame.
Champagne or champagne vinegar for the lemon juice.
 
LeBec F. March 9, 2019
since i know you are one smart cookie, i'm holding at bay my
" are you crazy?" to ask you if you have ever tasted extremely sweet dried fruit and champagne/ champ. vinegar in the same dish. next-- what was it like?



 
Nancy March 9, 2019
Yes with white wine.
Delicious.
Think the champagne would just be an upgrade.
Or use plain still white wine.
See, for example, the apple walnut and poppy seed pastry recipe. savour magazine
 
Nancy March 9, 2019
Saveur.
(Damn auto incorrect)
 
Nancy March 9, 2019
https://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Flodni-Apple-Walnut-and-Poppy-Seed-Pastry
 
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