I love that my best friends since we were ten Margaret is now on the healthy living bandwagon.
She introduced me to a glorious new place called Paleo Cafe right here locally in Hamilton. We visited there as a belated birthday get together for me where I was spoiled with a pile of presents from Margaret and we had a marvellous time at the cafe.
It was impressive.
And I will be back. Margaret's already been back again! Service was exceptional and the food, well, it was awesome.
We had fresh juice - each of us slurping on a Raspberry Tang - fresh raspberries, coconut water and pineapple and I munched my way through the Dukka Crusted Ocean Caught Fish with sweet potato chunky chips and salad. And Margaret enjoyed the Chicken + Rocket Pear Beetroot Walnut Salad. I SO want to go back for breakfast.
In fact Lisa and I went there Monday for a breakfast meeting only to find they are open 6 days a week and Mondays they are closed. Sad.
Annnyway, the reason for this post is that Margaret shared a chocolate ball recipe with me that she makes for her son James all the time.
I made them. I ate them. All. And I loved them. After a few requests for the recipe.. here it is..
She coulnd't find her original recipe she used as she know just makes it without a recipe but she said, this one here>> by Melissa Ambrosini from The Path To Wellness blog is more or less what she does these does.. with a few little changes.
- I used Medjool dates from Woolies and removed the seeds and then soaked them in warm water for about 15 minutes to soften them.
- I only had a small amount of cashews left and softened them in warm water for about 15 minutes as well.
- I then topped up the mixture with walnuts as I had them on hand but I didn't soak them.
- I rolled some of the balls in chia seeds (thanks Margaret for the tip) and they were the nicest ones! I rolled the rest in essicated coconut as I didn't have any shredded coconut on hand.
- Margaret omits the coconut oil as she finds the mixture too moist. I added the coconut oil but added in more dessicated coconut to compensate.
- Margaret stores them in the freezer >> I'm glad I did the same as they were best when eaten straight from the freezer all nice and cold and solid and delightful.