I know, I know. Bliss balls are now everywhere. But that doesn't stop me from posting about them, because they are simply blissful. Call them whatever you wish - bliss balls, energy balls, raw truffles, date truffles... All I know is that they're magical.
They taste beyond amazing, make you feel even better, give you lots of energy and look pretty darn fantastic as well. They're also sneaky in the sense that they make you want just one bite more, but then when you stop and think about it, you'll realize after having one that you're actually satisfied and very content. The bliss balls are packed with lots of nutrition - healthy fats and vitamins from the nuts, necessary carbohydrates and iron from the dates and the perfect amount of coconut-y goodness. They're satisfying enough to tide you over for a while, yet light enough to be a quick snack. They're sweet enough to curb any sweet cravings, yet naturally, so this still appeal to people who aren't sugar-crazy.
And the best thing (other than all the other best things about them) is: they're totally customizable! Don't like dates? How could you?! Just kidding. Swap them for your favorite combination of dried fruit - prunes, dried apricots, raisins, dried cranberries. Just remember that the bliss balls rely on your dried fruit being soft enough to blend and form a sticky mixture, so if that's not the case, do make sure to soak them in water overnight or in hot water a couple of hours beforehand.
With the nuts, feel free to use whatever you wish - walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, almonds, sesame seeds, brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews, pine nuts, hemp seeds. Finally for some added texture and visual prettiness, cover them in a topping - chia seeds, sesame seeds, desiccated coconut, cacao nibs, cacao/cocoa powder. This step is totally option.
And to make them even more gourmet (not that they aren't already), you can even add in things like cacao nibs, cacao powder, orange zest, lemon zest, maca powder, coconut oil, oats, maple syrup, nut butter, chia seeds... I could probably go on for a while longer, but I think I'll leave it here.
Ultimately, the combination is completely up to your own imagination, taste preference, and nutrition goals/requirements. My personal preference is simple and sweet: dates and an assortment of nuts pulsed together and rolled into a ball and covered in desiccated coconut.
Make these. Once you've made them once, you'll never stop.
Ingredients
600g Medjool dates, pitted (soak overnight or in warm water beforehand if your dates are qui
1 1/2 cups of mixed nuts - I used a mix of pistachios, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts and sesame seeds
pinch of salt (DO NOT OMIT THIS - it makes a world of difference!)
1/3 cup dessicated coconut
Instructions
In a food processor or high speed blender, pulse the nuts until they are small bits. It is essential that you don't over-pulse to the point where the nuts turn into powder, or even worse, nut butter!
Pour the pulsed nuts into a bowl and set aside.
Without cleaning/washing/doing anything to your blender, add the dates and blend until a sticky paste forms.
Once almost smooth, pour in the nuts again, add the salt and pulse/process until the nuts and dates and well combined. The mixture should be sticky enough to form into balls.
Pour the desiccated coconut into a small flat plate and set aside.
Roll the nut/date mixture tightly into balls of desired size. After rolling each ball, roll it in the plate of desiccated coconut, pressing down with the slightest amount of pressure so the coconut sticks. Once all the mixture has been used up, place the balls in an airtight container and leave in a cool place or in the fridge. Don't forget to leave one out for you to taste right now! Enjoy!
And the best thing (other than all the other best things about them) is: they're totally customizable! Don't like dates? How could you?! Just kidding. Swap them for your favorite combination of dried fruit - prunes, dried apricots, raisins, dried cranberries. Just remember that the bliss balls rely on your dried fruit being soft enough to blend and form a sticky mixture, so if that's not the case, do make sure to soak them in water overnight or in hot water a couple of hours beforehand.
With the nuts, feel free to use whatever you wish - walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, almonds, sesame seeds, brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews, pine nuts, hemp seeds. Finally for some added texture and visual prettiness, cover them in a topping - chia seeds, sesame seeds, desiccated coconut, cacao nibs, cacao/cocoa powder. This step is totally option.
And to make them even more gourmet (not that they aren't already), you can even add in things like cacao nibs, cacao powder, orange zest, lemon zest, maca powder, coconut oil, oats, maple syrup, nut butter, chia seeds... I could probably go on for a while longer, but I think I'll leave it here.
Ultimately, the combination is completely up to your own imagination, taste preference, and nutrition goals/requirements. My personal preference is simple and sweet: dates and an assortment of nuts pulsed together and rolled into a ball and covered in desiccated coconut.
Make these. Once you've made them once, you'll never stop.
Ingredients
600g Medjool dates, pitted (soak overnight or in warm water beforehand if your dates are qui
1 1/2 cups of mixed nuts - I used a mix of pistachios, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts and sesame seeds
pinch of salt (DO NOT OMIT THIS - it makes a world of difference!)
1/3 cup dessicated coconut
Instructions
In a food processor or high speed blender, pulse the nuts until they are small bits. It is essential that you don't over-pulse to the point where the nuts turn into powder, or even worse, nut butter!
Pour the pulsed nuts into a bowl and set aside.
Without cleaning/washing/doing anything to your blender, add the dates and blend until a sticky paste forms.
Once almost smooth, pour in the nuts again, add the salt and pulse/process until the nuts and dates and well combined. The mixture should be sticky enough to form into balls.
Pour the desiccated coconut into a small flat plate and set aside.
Roll the nut/date mixture tightly into balls of desired size. After rolling each ball, roll it in the plate of desiccated coconut, pressing down with the slightest amount of pressure so the coconut sticks. Once all the mixture has been used up, place the balls in an airtight container and leave in a cool place or in the fridge. Don't forget to leave one out for you to taste right now! Enjoy!
No comments:
Post a Comment