Almond, Coconut and Cacao Nib Bites

Modern style laddoos

   Majority of us love our desserts and the more sinful the better. However, in this modern age when we spend more time sitting and when our daily work or chores does not involve strenuous physical activities, we cannot really indulgent in those sinful desserts on a regular basis. I’ve stopped stocking on ice creams and haven’t made a decent sinful dessert in a very long time. The last indulgence was on my birthday when I had waffles topped with hazelnut ice cream, chocolate sauce a generous swirl of fresh cream…sigh!!!!!

   That does not mean I’ve become a goodie goodie or am so disciplined that I can resist all those sinful desserts. I just stay away from them. Its at times like these that I thank my stars that we don’t get much ready made dessert choices in our supermarkets (can I even call them that anymore???) Still, Mombasa lacks a decent supermarket. Tusky is making an effort but they have a long way to go before they will be able to match up with the once thriving organized Nakumatt. 

   So what do I do when I have an uncontrollable urge to have something sweet? I reach for a small teeny weeny piece of chocolate or I have an energy bite, energy ball or ladoos…. call it what you will. Its full of healthy nutritious ingredients, the dates take care of not only the sweetness quotient but also acts as a binding agent. Once you have that, add nuts of your choice, seeds, coconut, flavoring etc of your choice.

   My best friend D gave me some cacao nibs and cacao sometime back, saying that I’d probably would put it to better use than her. I did. I used the cacao nibs to add to my modern day version of ladoos and shared some with her. 

   Whenever, these super easy to make, energy providing, taking care of my sweet tooth piece of ball or rather balls get over, I make a whole new batch. Once all the ingredients are in place, its so easy to make them. I think the harder part is shopping for the ingredients (you know all that going through traffic, searching the supermarket aisles, carrying the shopping bags to the 8th floor— okay, using the lift, putting away the shopping). 

   Its Monday and the FoodieMonday/Bloghop’s #139th theme is #HealthyDesserts, a theme chosen by Saswati who blogs at Delish Potpourri. An apt theme as she’s just completed a strict healthy diet to lose some weight. Frankly, if she talks about losing a few kgs, then I’ve got to lose tonnes!

   Okay so now that you’ve heard me out, here’s the recipe, healthy, sugar free and fat free.

ALMOND, COCONUT AND COCAO NIB BITES 
Makes 30 balls

1 cup desiccated coconut
½ cup almonds
pinch of sea salt or Himalayan pink salt
8 medjool dates, remove the seeds and pith
3 tbsp milk
¼ cup cacao nibs
¼ cup almond and pistachio slivers

1. I find it easier to roughly chop up the nuts before processing. 
2. Add the chopped nuts into a food processor along with salt. Process into a coarse powder.
3. Then add coconut and pulse for a few seconds just to mix the coconut and nuts.
4. Add the dates and pulse again to mix.
5. Add milk and process again till the mixture becomes like a paste.
6. Remove the mixture from the food processor into a bowl.
7. Add the cacao nibs and the nut slivers.
8. Mix well. 
9. Take about a teaspoonful and roll it into a ball.
10. Freeze them for 30 minutes  or before you eat them.
11. Alternately, put them in an airtight container and store in the fridge till required.

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