Serves a Crowd

Little angel or little devil balls

by:
June 26, 2011
0
0 Ratings
Little angel or little devil balls
  • Makes 10-12 balls
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

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 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 cup 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
Directions
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. You can serve chilled in candy cups with a weensy sprig of fresh mint or on toothpicks.
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13 Reviews

susan G.
susan G. June 28, 2011
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!
 
Sagegreen
Sagegreen June 29, 2011
Thanks, susan g. I love the theme this week!
 
wssmom
wssmom June 28, 2011
You are the cleverest ever!
 
Sagegreen
Sagegreen June 28, 2011
Aw, thanks, wssmom!
 
lapadia
lapadia June 27, 2011
Here Kitty, Kitty...?Cats! Love the recipe and its name :)
 
Sagegreen
Sagegreen June 27, 2011
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!
 
boulangere
boulangere June 26, 2011
LOL! Just found the one of your cat, who may be demanding royalty payments soon, looking relatively indifferent to these beauties.
 
Sagegreen
Sagegreen June 26, 2011
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.
 
boulangere
boulangere June 26, 2011
Allergic to many of your ingredients, but seriously Sarah Shatz quality photograph!
 
Sagegreen
Sagegreen June 26, 2011
Wow, thanks, boulangere. Now that is quite a compliment!
 
boulangere
boulangere June 26, 2011
No exaggeration.
 
boulangere
boulangere June 26, 2011
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.
 
Sagegreen
Sagegreen June 26, 2011
Thanks, but I haven't been turning up lately!