Sweet Truffles.
Sugar has to be tasted to understand it’s sweetness, and its sweetness cannot be described in words. – Geetaji Iyengar
Geetaji Iyengar speaks this line in regards to the experience of dhyana, or meditation. I find that this sentence applies to many, many aspects of life.
I’ve just returned from spending a much-too-short week at my yoga home, BKS Iyengar’s yoga institute. I feel restructured, reprogrammed, refreshed, and much more. It is there at his home that I continue to learn truth.
THERE IS so much to share, yet I am still in that realm of contemplation. The words have not taken shape. The sweetness of my experience cannot be described in words…yet. And so instead of rambling, I leave you with a promised recipe – an absolutely delicious, WHOLESOME, unbelievably wonderful fairy tale that I do believe it sweetness you must taste. (By the way, it has no refined sugar.)
Recipe: Sweet Truffles
Made with natural sweetness, rich and decadent, vegan, and indescribably delicious.
Ingredients
Makes approximately 20 truffles
- 14 dates
- 2/3 cup golden raisins*
- 1/2 cup walnuts and peanuts – any mixture of nuts will do
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
- 3/4 cup almond meal – start with less and add more gradually
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 (ish) cup chocolate chips** – I use TJ’s vegan chocolate chips
Instructions
- Soften dates and golden raisins by soaking them in boiling water for 3-4 minutes.
- In a blender (Vitamix is excellent) or food processor, combine mixed nuts, cocoa powder, sea salt, coconut, and some of the almond meal. Pulse on low-speed until well combined.
- Drain the dates and raisins. Squeeze all excess liquid out.
- Add dates, raisins, and vanilla extract to blender. Blend on high-speed, stopping intermittently to scrape the mixture back into the center, until a thick, sticky paste begins to form. Add more almond meal if the mixture is too runny or less if the mixture is too dry.
- Toss in chocolate chips and pulse 1-2 times. The warmth of the dates will melt the chocolate chips slightly, creating an even more creamy texture, and some chocolate chunks will remain in the batter, which I find really pleasing.
- Remove the mixture into a bowl and place in the freezer for about 20 minutes until it becomes more firm for rolling.
- Roll the mixture into 1 inch balls.
- You can dress them up with more cocoa powder, shredded coconut, and dipping chocolate. However, they are more than incredible just on their own, so feel free to leave them as is!
- Store in the freezer for as long as they last.
*Golden raisins are essential in this recipe – they add the much desired tartness that you don’t find in black raisins.
**The chocolate chips add a minimal amount of processed sugar. These can be omitted if desired.
You will not believe how delicious these very simple treats are.
But they must be tasted to understand their sweetness and their sweetness cannot be described in words. So give them a try! They are perfect with coffee. Let me know if you have any questions.
Much love,
More (words) later,
SONIA
