Dark Chocolate Truffles with Cacao Nibs

May 18, 2010

Let’s face it, we’re living through tough times. Before I get into the harrowing two weeks my family has been through, it has to be said that everyone has a story right now. Period. I don’t think this recession has left one family untouched, apart from anyone that owns stock in Apple (am I the only person left without an Ipod Touch? Ipad anyone?). The only upside I can see is that, in some small way, trouble and strife can be a unifying experience.

With all eyes glued to the downward spiral of the European economy and their debt crisis, it does not seem improbable that in the next six to twelve months America will have to answer it’s own debt issues. Remember the fallout of September 2008? The U.K and Europe had been going through it only eight months before. Hold onto your hats is all I say, or at the very least be cautious with your dosh.

It started almost two weeks ago: It was our last day in the house, and my husband was giving an unwanted glass coffee table to a friend. “At eight am in the morning?” I asked. “Can’t you at least enjoy a cup of tea or coffee before moving a hundred pound glass table?” “Nooooo!” was his answer. “We’re moving out today!! The next thing I hear while getting Jake dressed for school is Toby screaming my name. He and his friend were lifting the table from its legs, and when one of the legs snapped off, the glass came crashing on his left foot. We rushed to the emergency room where Toby had to undergo orthopedic surgery for three hours to fix a broken toe and sliced tendons. Exactly one week later, things went from bad to worse: Our son Jake fell, cut his forehead open, and needed stitches. All this, with packing, moving, and subleting temporary digs while still on the lookout for a new house. This is The Magical Mystery Tour folks. I’d much rather be a member of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, but there you go.

A little serious for you? Well, not really. My appetite is lead like a panting golden retriever by my mood. As I have taken a few knocks in the last few weeks, I need a lift. I’m talking deep dark chocolate. A silver foiled Hersheys Kiss is not going to get it.

So here we are. Whatever the drama, it soon will pass. Life is cyclical, and whenever it gets dark, the light will come (quickly please). There are good times, there are bad times, and for those, we eat chocolate.

A note before you embark on the recipe: You can buy the raw carob powder, raw cacao powder, and cacao nibs in the raw food section of most health food stores. If you have trouble finding them, try this website: www.rawguru.com or google for any raw food website.

2 cups soft medjool dates, chopped

1/2 cup raw carob powder

1/2 cup raw cacao powder

1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon cacao nibs

cacao powder for dusting

1. Using a food processor with an S blade, add the chopped dates and pulse until smooth. Combine the rest of the ingredients and pulse again until smooth.

2. Roll into 3/4 inch balls. Put a tablespoon or two of cacao powder on a plate and roll the truffles over it until evenly coated. Put the balls onto a plate, cover with cling film, and chill for two hours.

Hand-Dipped Chocolate Covered Bananas Mmm mmm, we've been enjoying these babies all weekend, thanks to the fact that they're half the fat of normal ice cream. They are scrumptious, and the best part is, no one will ever know that they are dairy and processed sugar free. Hello! Pass...
Vegan Chocolate Pudding This recipe was born out of a Choc Attack. No seriously. There I was, lazing one afternoon revisiting Virgina Woolf's, "A Room of One's Own," and bam, I longed for a blast of chocolate to accompany my tea. Pain in the bum that I am, I d...
Gluten Free Mixed Berry Crumble Hands down, fruit crumble is my favorite year 'round dessert, and a comforting crowd pleaser. I usually make apple crumble, but I decided to try it with mixed berries this month with delightful results. I love love love this recipe! Hold up: don't...