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“Almond Joy” Date Balls (Recipe)

written by Parita 10 Comments

I’ve had “make date balls” on my to-do list for the last few weeks. Why the last few weeks? Well, I was missing the key ingredient and kept forgetting to buy it. So, step one – buy dates! I finally remembered to do just that over the weekend. Step two – make date balls! On Monday evening, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work in the kitchen.

Date balls 010

As simple of a recipe as this is, you have to buy the right kind of dates. I’ve made something similar in the past using pre-pitted dates, and the texture was completely different. If you want balls with a Larabar like consistency, you have to buy the dates with pits and then take them out at home. You can find them in the bulk bins section of Whole Foods (where I went this weekend) or even at Costco. Wherever you buy your dates from, just make sure they aren’t already pitted.

One other note – you can easily make this recipe vegan by using dairy-free chocolate chips (I love the Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips). I promise you won’t be able to tell the difference at all!

Date balls 007

Soooo, I call these “Almond Joy” date balls. The quotes obviously mean that they’re supposed to taste kinda sorta like the candy but are a healthier alternative. When I told Vishnu this, using air quotes, he said, “Yeah, saying these taste like an Almond Joy is misleading. They’re really good though.” Air quotes, Vishnu, air quotes!!!

Anyway, I really love these, and so does Vishnu (as evident by a few missing date balls!). Personally, I find these to be the perfect post-dinner treat. And I especially love the taste and texture – sweet but not overly sweet, chewy, nutty, and just plain delicious!

Enjoy!

“Almond Joy” Date Balls
Yields approximately 12 small date balls

¼ cup raw whole almonds
1 cup dates, pitted and roughly chopped
2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips (use dairy-free chocolate to make a vegan alternative)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of sea salt
2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes

  1. Using a food processor, process the almonds until crumbly.
  2. Add the dates and process until a uniform batter starts to form.
  3. Add chocolate chips and vanilla extract and process until incorporated into batter.
  4. Scoop the date mixture into a large bowl.
  5. Add coconut flakes and sea salt and work the mixture with your hands to make sure the flakes are thoroughly incorporated.
  6. Pinch off about a tablespoon or so worth of dough at a time and roll between your hands to form balls.
  7. Store the balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or so.

Have you ever made date balls? What’s your favorite flavor combo?

Written on April 1, 2015 Related:Food, Health, Recipe

WIAW #5

written by Parita Leave a Comment

Welcome to another week of WIAW (a big shout out to Jenn at Peas & Crayons)!

Before I go through my eats for the day, I want to address something.  From what I understand, WIAW is about sharing your Wednesday meals.  Well, if you haven’t noticed yet, my meals on this particular day are kindaaa boring.  Therefore, from here on out, my WIAW posts are going to be about the fun things I ate all week long that I didn’t blog about.  I don’t think I’m breaking any big rules here…just trying to keep things from getting stale. Smile

Let’s get on with it…

Breakfast

WIAW#3 004

My usual PB + chocolate + banana protein shake…freakin’ delicious!

Y’all know the drill, but here’s what went into the blender anyways:

    • 1 frozen banana
    • 1 tablespoon Hershey’s Dark Chocolate cocoa powder
    • 1 scoop Sun Warrior chocolate protein powder
    • 1 spoon PB
    • 1 cup skim milk
    • 1 large handful spinach

Lunch

Again, y’all know what’s coming (see why I decided to change things up?!).  I had a huge salad at work today with all the fixins’: spinach, celery, carrots, beets, red and green bell peppers, olives, tomatoes, half a boiled egg, sunflower seeds, and balsamic dressing.  YUM-O!

Snacks

WIAW 5 003

Does this beauty even need an introduction!?  This is my FAV kind…so so so good!

WIAW #4 006

Crispy, delicious, and sweet

Dinner

WIAW 5 005

Ok, so if you thought last night’s dinner was a good idea, wait until I tell you about tonight’s.  This very simple dish that I threw together in 3 minutes was a-mazing!  Here’s what I did…

        • Top a plate of cooked spaghetti squash with 1/2 cup of canned diced tomatoes
        • Drizzle with a little bit of olive oil
        • Microwave for about 2 minutes
        • Season with dried basil, garlic powder, salt, and red pepper flakes
        • Top off with a little bit of Annie’s Goddess dressing (this is the ingredient that takes this dish to a new level)

My mom is so cute.  When she read last night’s post, she thought I made spaghetti and topped it with squash and ricotta.  She was so confused as to why I cooked squash for 45 minutes.  When I told her that I didn’t make any regular spaghetti, she was amazed.  I think I’m going to have to make this for her the next time I’m home.  Hehe.  Love you, momma!

**********

On a completely different note, Vishnu is off to Europe today with one of his best friends. They have quite the trip planned – I think it’s something crazy like 7 countries in two weeks. 

I miss my fiancé already!  Even though we probably wouldn’t have seen each other in the next two weeks anyways, it’s still weird to have him be on a totally different continent.  I hope we get to Skype every couple of days (fingers crossed)!

Well, I’m off to watch some TV! Smile Have a wonderful night!

Do you like my idea of weekly vs. Wednesday eats?

Written on June 22, 2011 Related:Food, Recipe

Oh Family, I’m Home!

written by Parita 15 Comments

Hi!  As you all know, I’m blogging from Atlanta right now!  I got in around 11:30 last night, and yes, I did attack Vishnu when I saw him. 🙂  I worked from home today, but it was still nice to have everyone around while I audited away.  I miss being home!

Lunch was delicious, as expected.  We all got very very hungry around 1:30, so my mom, with her quick thinking, decided to make us samosa chaat.  If you don’t remember what chaat is, read this post.  It’s all the same ingredients but with samosas as the base.  We didn’t have any homemade samosas in the house, so we used frozen ones, which were surprising pretty good.  You can easily find these in an Indian grocery store.

Cooking away...

All you do to turn regular samosas into samosa chaat, is add some sweet and spicy chutneys (sauces), a yogurt sauce, onions, and sev (a thin, stringy, crispy Indian snack food).  Take a look!

After lunch, I made everyone try this…

The Pecan Pie Larabar does not disappoint!

Everyone agreed that is flavor is a keeper.  However, the PB Chocolate Chip one is still my favorite!

Since I worked until about 5:30 today, we didn’t do too much during the day.  This is probably a good thing because tomorrow is a packed day – threading (hair removal done with a thread – don’t worry I’ll explain later!), pedicure, dentist, dermatologist, and taxes.  I’m tired just thinking of it all! 

My parents don’t really like eating out too much, but Indian and Thai are exceptions to the rule.  Tonight was Thai night.  🙂  We headed to one of my favorite Atlanta restaurants – Top Spice.  This place is Thai heaven – the food is that good! 

Spicy Basil Tofu for me and my mom!

Pad Prik Chicken for sister and dad!

A family affair 🙂

So, remember how I told you that no visit home would be complete without a Bollywood movie night?  Well, tonight is one of those nights.  We’re watching Band Baaja Barat, a movie about two wedding planners who decide to become partners and create their own company together.

Source

Before I sign out for the night, here’s a cute knock knock joke Vishnu heard on TV today…

Knock, knock
Who’s there?
Olive
Olive who?
Olive you, babe!

Awww 🙂

Written on March 25, 2011 Related:Bollywood, Family, Food

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