Peanut Truffles
Maya was in the patio looking in, nose pressed against the glass door, holding her bubble kazoo, watching me grind peanuts in the kitchen. She joined in and we rolled the truffles together, dipped them in chocolate and topped each one with half a peanut. Soon enough, we were enjoying them with a glass of milk.
What I love about sharing such experiences with my daughter are the unique teachable moments they provide. Simply naming the ingredients, smelling and tasting spices or exploring kitchen tools opens up a whole new world for a child. I will always remember the first time she sneezed when her tiny nose came into contact with black pepper. Precious.
Few things in life make me happier than sharing food with family and other meaningful people in my life. Whether the sharing revolves around preparing or eating food together, it is quality time I truly treasure. It may sound cliché to say that food connects us but I’ll say it anyway.
Aïcha was a deft, swift and extremely efficient young lady who helped my aunt with housework. She used to make this recipe in truffle form or in logs that she dipped in chocolate, let dry and sliced, biscotti-style. Every time I visited I begged her to make them. Sometimes she mixed the peanuts with the Moroccan equivalent of Graham crackers called Henry’s (fancily pronounced “onreece”) and moistened the mixture with condensed milk to hold it together. Me? I used OJ but I bet apple juice or coconut milk would have worked too. This is one of those foolproof desserts that you can totally go spontaneous with.
Peanut Truffle Recipe
Makes about 12
1 cup lightly salted roasted peanuts
1 cup corn flakes
1/4 cup honey
2-3 tablespoons orange juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground clove
1 cup melted bittersweet chocolate
Grind the peanuts and corn flakes into (almost) a powder using a food processor.
Transfer to a bowl and mix in the rest of the ingredients except the chocolate.
Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls.
Dip the truffles in melted chocolate and allow it to harden on wax paper 30 minutes or so before serving.
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peachkins — 07/24/2011 @ 6:22 am
These look so good!
Dzoli — 07/24/2011 @ 7:01 am
I can't say more than what a delicious treat:)
A Spoonful of Yumm — 07/24/2011 @ 10:01 am
i love peanuts. its interesting that you've used spices in this recipe. the truffles look sinful with chocolate dripping :D
Yasmeen — 07/24/2011 @ 11:02 am
Lovely addition of honey and orange to the peanuts – very unique.
Ann — 07/24/2011 @ 3:04 pm
Wow – these look absolutely amazing! I love the idea of honey in the truffles and how nice that it's connected to happy memories!
Oh, My Darling — 07/24/2011 @ 3:16 pm
Yum! These sound divine!
Sanjeeta kk — 07/24/2011 @ 3:27 pm
Oh..wow..a winner recipe indeed. And a healthy one to go for. Lovely click.
Jenn@slim-shoppin — 07/24/2011 @ 6:32 pm
That recipe looks great. And not many ingredients too :)
Thanks for connecting with me via twitter – I always love finding new food blogs!
Deborah — 07/25/2011 @ 3:01 am
There is nothing like sharing food with family! These look absolutely delicious!
Jamie — 07/25/2011 @ 1:52 pm
What lovely, flavorful treats! I think my older son understands that I have always missed having a child (or daughter) to bake with. He now organizes baking days for me and his best friend's girlfriend! And I so love it!
A SPICY PERSPECTIVE — 07/25/2011 @ 3:25 pm
OMG. I'm nearly speechless over these! Must make. :)
Kerstin — 07/26/2011 @ 3:26 am
Yum, these sound so addicting! And how sweet you made them with your daughter.
parisbreakfast — 07/26/2011 @ 4:17 pm
Gawd those look gorgeous!
And your Moroccan carrots too..
Especially since I'm sticking with carrots these days
merci
carolg
whatscookingwithdoc — 07/26/2011 @ 5:12 pm
These look delicious! I am absolutely loving your blog and your recipe book looks amazing as well. Can we get an autographed copy!
Cheers!
-Doc