Show your love and compassion this valentines, no not pesticide filled roses or a box of yellow aged chocolates possibly in the shape of a heart. Make something with your hands that will actually improve your love’s heart health. Continuing with healthy options this new year, avoid processed sugar, avoid chemical sugar free items, avoid things that are sweet, and if you do indulge make it with an awesome beer or wine or other heart attack reducing beverage. Nothing says I love you like a hand crafted truffle… I love savory truffles too, but Southeast is a wee bit cold as far as I know for the real deal, so stick with mimicking chocolate and berry bites this year. You and your love will thank you in the long run, by honoring health and happiness of a long life.
Antioxidants are vital in countering free radicals, the harmful byproducts of cellular metabolism, environmental toxins, GMO’s and other harmful contaminants that can contribute to cancer and whole host of other age-related diseases. While death do you part I think it’s in our best interests to start really looking after what age and chronic disease can mean for love, caring, compassion and take heed. And in case you didn’t know processed sugar is more addictive and damaging to your brain than cocaine… you choose your offering to Aphrodite carefully and show your creativity as well.
Basics of Truffles
There are three parts to your basic truffle, filling or base, topping or coating, and garnish.
Hailing from France to resemble the real truffle, or dusky delicious fungi found in Piedmont region of Italy and France or the mid West Coast forests by none other than the master himself Auguste Escoffier during the 1920’s. A kitchen faux pau by one of his appretices’ caused him to pour the hot cream mixture into a bowl of chocolate chunks rather than the sugared eggs it was meant for to make a pastry cream, and ganache was born, the mixture formed a nice ball that could be dipped and decorated. As the concept developed, in came nuts, different sugars, champagne and liqueurs and nowadays it’s peppercorns and curry powder, kaffier lime and specialty salts.
Berry Cheesecake Truffles
- ⅓ teaspoon Himalayan Salt
- 1 Cup Medjool pit free dates
- 1 cup Brazil Nuts
- ½ cup Desiccated Coconut
- 1 scoop NYR Organic Berry Complex
- 1 cup Melted Virgin Coconut Oil
- 2 cups soaked cashews
- ½ cup lime juice (3-4 limes)
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
Night before soak cashews in distilled water for at least 4 hours. Pulse salt, dates, Brazil nuts and coconut in food processor or high powered blender to make crust layer in the bottom of a pie pan or other pan. Blend Berry Complex, Coconut Oil, and Cashews (soaked for 4-6 hours) until smooth and creamy pour over crust and refrigerate for 30 minutes until solidified. Scoop out with melon baller and roll into uniform shape and roll in organic berry complex to cover. Let sit and Enjoy.
Coco Truffles
- 14 whole pitted medjool dates
- 2 tsp vanilla extract (organic or homemade, or both)
- ½ cup dry roasted hazelnuts
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup quality coco powder
Coconut Truffles
- ¾ cup organic dessicated coconut
- ⅔ cup roasted salted almonds
- 30 whole pitted dates
- ¼ tsp sea salt (Sitka Alder smoked would be awesome finishing here)
- 2 Tbsp Maca Powder
- ⅓ cup Gojji Berries
- 1 Tsp Chia Seeds
Coco Spice Coating
- 1 Tbsp Organic powdered sugar
- 2 Tbsp Raw Cacao (I love Dagoba)
- dash of cinnamon or other spice
Berry Much Loved Powder Truffle Coating (Traditional)
- 2 Tbsp Raw Cacao Powder
- 1 scoop Berry Complex
- 2Tbsp Maca Powder
Dipped Truffle Enrobed in Chocolate (Couvature)
If you would like to hand dip them here is a great coating chocolate recipe
- 8 oz dark chocolate
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil
Melt in double boiler, with a fork dip each truffle in chocolate, set on waxed paper, silicone baking mat or marble to cool, you can act like a professional and create a signature hand gesture/design on each truffle, and garnish as you wish or go with a powdered finish, your choice.
Truffle Garnishes
- Flaked Sea Salt
- Coconut Chips
- Hulled Hemp Seeds
- Goji Berries
- Hazelnuts
- Pistachios
- Dried Red Raspberries
- Red Chili Powder (just a scant)
- Fennel Seeds
- Toasted Chia Seeds
- Toasted Sesame Seeds
Health Benefits of these ingredients!
- Unrefined & mineral rich salt
- Medjool Dates – Fiber rich
- Brazil Nuts Selium for glowing skin
- Berry Complex- Rich antioxidants, super nutrients, fiber and fatty acids
- Coconut Oil-Rich Essential Fatty Acids for Healthy Skin
- Cashew Nuts-Rich in calcium and magnesium for healthy bones
- Limes-aids digestion
- Maca Powder- endocrine system balancing, increased fertility
- Vanilla-lifts the mood
- Acai Berry essential amino acids, vitamin c, selenium, iron, calcium, zinc, important trace minerals, polysaccharides to boost immune system, helps kidneys
- Goji Berry Superfruit of Chinese and Tibeten medicine, essential ammino acids, fiber, vitamin C, zinc, 21 trace minerals, highest concentration of protien in any fruit
- Arceola Cherry (West Indian Cherry) Vitamin C, beta carotene, magnesium, folate, antioxidant
- Blueberry improved memory, brain function,
- Currant protasgalandin production (hormone like substances that help the muscles and blood vessels contract and relax)
- NYR Organic Red Berries is avaliable online at https://goo.gl/E945VX
- Carefully blended with organic superfruits, omega fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants, to provide a natural source of fiber and non-animal protein. Organic Berry Complex is ideal for all the family, vegetarians and vegans†.
†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Product is Non GM (Genetically Modified) Gluten Free, Dairy Free, no preservatives, kosher, certified organic, no added sugar, suitable for vegans and vegitarians and full of antioxidant boosting skin radiance.
From my chocolate and berry dusted table to yours,
Amber King
