We met with a green juice and now it's time for something sweet...
Bliss balls, O balls, raw balls or ‘råbollar’ as they’re known in Swedish. I’ve seen them disguised in different shapes and many sizes. They are everywhere! Sometimes I can wonder just why they are so popular? In any case, I’ll just call them ‘balls’ and this is my version – licorice, lime and chocolate. They are inspired by the beautiful Josefine Jäger.
You might also be thinking 'balls' are nothing new, however, I want to keep things simple to start with. I think there is an important lesson in doing so.
As I’ve mentioned life for me has taken a different direction. But even though I'm flying with my heart, there is still a lot that is strange and new. I'm finding it's easy to get overwhelmed. Easy to overthink and get stuck in the detail. Easy to stray from the track when things get difficult - when someone else isn't deciding what I think and do. So to keep things uncomplicated, a simple recipe is in order. Like training wheels I suppose, until my great adventure gets more familiar.
For some of you raw food may be something that is strange and new. If this is the case, then I think these simple balls are just right to start off. Perfect to introduce to your friends and family (especially your children who may be skeptical to anything that doesn’t come out of a packet or an icecream tub!), or to impress as morning tea at the office. I have done all the above (although I don’t yet have any children so do nieces and nephews count?).
Maybe it's just the flavours that are something different? Or for those of you already familiar perhaps, like me, they were your first experience of a raw dessert?
In any case, as a result of all my pondering of late, I think I know the reason why these balls are so popular (that is, apart from the fact that they taste so wonderfully good!). For me it is because they are simple in all respects. A lovely reminder not to over-complicate things. Not now, or anytime...
Aimee xo
licorice, lime & chocolate
Makes 15 -20 balls
- 1 cup cashew nuts
- 1/3 cup almonds
- 1/3 cup shredded coconut plus extra for rolling the topping
- 1 Tbsp hemp seeds
- 15 medjool dates (pits removed)
- 1/3 cup carob powder
- Zest and juice of two limes (reserve some of the zest for rolling the balls in later)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp licorice powder
- 2 Tbsp melted coconut oil (I melt mine over a water bath)
- 2 Tbsp filtered water
- pinch of sea salt
- Mix cashews, almonds, hemp seeds and coconut into a flour like consistency in a food processor.
- Add remaining ingredients except coconut oil.
- Pour coconut oil into the food processor whilst running on low speed. The mixture should gradually start to stick together in a clump. If not then more water can be added.
- Put the mixture into the fridge to cool for 10 minutes, before rolling into balls.
- Roll in shredded coconut mixed with lime zest, or sifted carob.
Tips: For an antioxidant boost, try substituting carob for raw cacao powder!