Super Easy Cacao + Coconut Balls
We’re kicking off our first FOOD post for 2016 with a recipe for Cacao + Coconut Energy Balls from Aussie chefs Mark LaBrooy and Darren Robertsons's latest book 'The Blue Ducks' Real Food'.
Having recently returned from a holiday in Australia where it is very easy to eat 'real, whole foods', I’m now craving satisfying healthy snacks I can make at home to beat the 3 o'clock munchies, and pop into my handbag to eat when I'm battling Jakarta's traffic gridlock.
Today's real food treats are raw, full of antioxidants, and delicious chocolatey goodness; require the bare minimum of prep time, and all the ingredients can be sourced in local Jakarta supermarkets and specialty food shops. I must say this recipe was a lot of fun to make. I made a batch for my Bahasa Indonesia class a few weeks ago. I popped them into a recycled glass jar for easy transport; and they were the perfect 'brain fuel' we needed as we launched back into our language studies for the year. Since then, my Bahasa buddies have also batched Cacao + Coconut Energy Balls...sourcing, rolling, adapting and substituting to make the perfect raw, real food snack.
I think you're going to love them too!
Cacao + Coconut Energy Balls
Makes: 20 balls
Ingredients
100 grams dates, pitted
100 grams prunes, pitted
100 grams coconut oil
200 grams desiccated coconut
50 grams chia seeds
50 grams cacao powder
1 tbsp maca powder (optional)
31/2 tbsp cacao nibs
1 tbsp honey
Method
1. Add the dates, prunes and coconut oil to a blender and process until a smooth paste forms.
2. Add the date paste to a large bowl with half the desiccated coconut and the remaining ingredients.
3. Using your hands, mix until the ingredients are well combined and then roll into walnut-sized balls.
4. Roll the balls in the remaining desiccated coconut and refrigerate for approximately one hour to firm up.
Cooks's notes:
* I roughly chopped the dates and prunes before I placed them into the blender.
* The energy ball formula is sticking power + healthy base + extra flavour, so it's easy to substitute ingredients. They could include oats, nut pastes, raw nuts and seeds, dried fruit and sweeteners.
* The Cacao + Coconut Energy Balls will keep up to two weeks in the fridge. Mine never last that long!
* You can also freeze Cacao + Coconut Energy Balls for up to three months.
Ingredient Suppliers and Stockists
Bless Nature's Best - for cacao power, cacao nibs, chia seeds and maca powder
Burgreens - for chia seeds, nut pastes
Club Sehat Healthy Grocery Store - for chia seeds and nuts
Javara Indigenous Indonesia - for local honey, cacao nibs, cashew butter, raw nuts
Kakoa Chocolate - for cacao nibs
Kem Chicks - for desiccated coconut, local honey,
Ranch Market supermarket Indonesia - for chia seeds, local honey
Titan Baking - for desiccated coconut, chia seeds
Do drop us a line if you make a batch of Cacao + Coconut Energy Balls and enjoyed them. What healthy treats do you turn to when the 3 o'clock munchies hit, or you're stuck in Jakarta traffic?
By the way, Chinese New Year Celebrations begin in Jakarta this weekend, known locally as Imlek. We hope you get a chance to experience some of the customs!
You might also like:
How to make our healthy Green Jakarta Smoothie
Brekkie Time in Jakarta
Why we love fresh and healthy rice paper rolls
Words: Liz McClean Photography a journey bespoke