Lime, Ginger and Coconut Date Balls

These date balls are adapted from the Food Matters recipe, Choc Orange Bliss Balls and are delicious. I decided I would like to make the orange dates balls on the Food Matters site but I went into my kitchen only to discover I had all the ingredients apart from the orange. So I decided to see what other ingredients I had in the fridge and cupboards. In my no cheesecake recipe I had used lime, ginger and coconut so I decided to try it in a date ball. Oh boy, was I not disappointed.

Dates are one of the best sweet, versatile foods that can regulate the digestive process. They are a great source of energy, sugar and fibre. Essential minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium and zinc are found in dates. Dates can help relieve constipation, intestinal disorders, heart problems, anaemia, sexual dysfunction, diarrhea, abdominal cancer and many other conditions.

From my experiments in the kitchen I always find dates and almonds go well together. Almond butter is a good source of the healthy monounsaturated fats that our bodies need. The fats are associated with lowering the risk of heart disease. Eating almonds offers antioxidants action from vitamin E that helps lower cholesterol. A small serving of almond butter contains a generous amount of magnesium – which boosts heart health. Also munching on almond butter helps to stabilize blood sugar. Unlike refined carbohydrates that may cause blood sugar to increase and crash.

It’s very easy to incorporate the benefits of almond butter into your diet. You can substitute almond butter into any foods that calls for peanut butter. A teaspoon of almond butter inside a date (with the stone removed) is yummy, a few tablespoons in a smoothie or eating it in these delicious lime, ginger and coconut balls.

Makes around 30 – 36 balls

Equipment needed

• Chopping board
• Sharp knife
• Food processor
• Scales
• Plate or baking tray
• Tablespoon
• Saucepan
• Skewer
• Fork

For the balls

• Medjoul dates x 200g (stones removed)
• Raw cocoa powder x 60g
• Coconut flour x 100g
• Lime x 1 (zest and juice)
• Ginger x 2 tbsps

For the chocolate coating

• Coconut oil x 100g
• Raw cocoa powder x 2 tbsp
• Maple syrup x 2 tbsp
• Desiccated coconut x 50g

Method

• Next place the dates, raw cocoa powder, coconut flour, lime and ginger in the food processor.
• Blend all the ingredients together until the mixture forms a bread crumb texture.
• Remove the lid of the food processor and start to roll a bit of the mixture into a ball.
• Then leave on a plate or baking tray and roll the next ball until you have used up all the date mix.
• Place them in the fridge for a couple of hours.
• Meanwhile start by putting the coconut oil, cocoa powder, maple syrup and desiccated coconut into the sauce pan.
• Turn the hob onto a medium heat and stir all the ingredients together until they are well combined.
• It should take around five minutes depending on your hob and saucepan.
• Once they are combined leave to cool for five minutes.
• Finally take the date balls out of the fridge, put the skewer in the top of the ball and then dip them in the chocolate mix.
• Any leftover chocolate coating can be made into chocolates using small cupcake cases.
• Finally, dip the rest of the balls into the chocolate until all of them are covered and place in the fridge until set.

Personally, I think the lime, ginger and coconut date balls are a great gift or just good as a little treat for you. I have made these several times as gifts for friends and each time I have had a complement about them. Also, if there is any chocolate coating leftover, that can be made into chocolates they are delicious too. If you do make these, as always, we hope you enjoy.