My cupboards always need to have snacks for my hungry family. Sweet and savoury. Because the Buckaroo Babies as well as Farmer Buckaroo eat almost as fast as I can make food I generally use recipes that are quick to make. I also prefer a power punch of protein and superfoods. It keeps the tummies full longer and feeds the growing brains. In this day and age starch is in everything and the go-to for most on the go people. I stay away from starch as much as possible. There is so much diversity and flavour filled goodness in seeds, nuts, beans and lentils. It just takes forwarded planning as these all need to be soaked and dried beforehand.
My children never eat sugar - unless the grandparents sneak it in without me knowing. Our staple sweet is dates. I generally use dates as the main sweetener. Or honey. For these delicious superfood snacks the three main ingredients are dates, almonds and dessicated coconut. The dates need to be depitted. The almonds need to be soaked overnight then rinsed and dried. I usually prepare half a kilogram at a time and keep it in the freezer.
Added to that you literally need a dash of this, a sprinkle of that and a blob of the next yummy thing. Having discovered this amazing Cacao Maca Superfood Mix I add 4 tablespoons to my simple superfood recipe. But for those of you not in South Africa the superfood extras are chia seeds, maca and moringa powder, vanilla, hemp seeds, cacao powder and nibs. You can use any or none of the optional extras. I always add cinnamon to my deserts as it balances blood sugar. When I make these date balls or the chocolate I also add Baobab as it is extremely high in Vitamin C.
RECIPE:
2 cups Dates (depitted)
1 cups Almonds (soaked and dried)
1/2 cup dessicated Coconut
2 tablespoons Nut butter or Tahini
1 tablespoon Coconut Oil
4 tablespoons Superfood mix (chia, cacao, hemp, maca, moringa, baobab, vanilla, cinnamon)
First I chunky chop the almonds and dates together in the food processor. Then add all the rest of the ingredients and blend to your desired consistency.
We like the date balls relatively chunky but you may prefer a finer texture. For a more chocolate taste add more cacao or nibs. If the mixture doesn't want to stick then add a bit more tahini or coconut oil. Roll into firm bite size balls and freeze. They are still quite chewy despite being frozen but last much longer in the freezer.....unless you live in my house!
These date balls are a firm favourite. Not everyone loves chocolate - shame. But for something more fruity you can replace the dates and cacaco powder with dried peaches or apricots and lemon or a few mint leaves. A fancy extra to impress your fast food relatives, is rolling the date balls in cacao or roasted sesame or coconut. I have a sweet tooth and I love that I can satisfy the craving with all natural and healthy ingredients. Food truly should be our medicine!
