Diwali is a festival where lot of sweet and savory dishes are made in people's homes and then shared with family and friends. As a rule, I don't make sweet dishes too often. On the occasion of Diwali, I wanted to make something for my kids, but something relatively healthy. I decided to make these quick date-coconut balls . Like the name suggests, these are literally dates that have been shaped into little balls and rolled in dried coconut flakes. It has only 2 all natural ingredients, hardly takes any time to make and is a great source of iron. There is no cooking/baking involved. It is a great energy booster for 3 pm slump.The only downside is that I would not recommend it for diabetics as dates are a concentrated source of natural sugars which can spike their blood-sugar levels.But for my kids, this is perfect! I would rather them eat nutrient-dense treats and desserts than just sugar-rich ones!
Servings: 4 ( makes around 8 dime-sized balls)( serving size: 2 per person)
Ingredients:
Pitted Dates: 12 numbers
Dried coconut flakes: 1/4 cup ( may not need all)
A dab of olive oil: to grease the palms.
Method:
Chop the pitted dates and put them in a small microwave safe bowl.
Cook it in the microwave for 30 seconds so that the dates can soften. Do not do it for longer as it gets burnt very easily!!
Let it cool down slightly, then blend it in a food processor until it is a homogeneous mass.
Take it out.Grease your palms using a dab of coconut oil. Pinch a little dough and make a nickel-sized ball.
Do this to all the available dough.
Take the coconut flakes in a shallow bowl/plate.
Roll each of the date laddoo in it.
Your khajoor laddoos ( Date-coconut balls) are ready!
Store it in an airtight container at room temperature.Can be stored for months in this fashion.
I am linking this to Throwback Thursday, Angie's Fiesta Friday#94 & Saucy Saturday. Judi @ cookingwithauntjuju and Stef @ The Kiwi Fruit are co-hosting the Fiesta Friday this week!
Cooking made easy:
If you have no nut allergies, you can add powdered roasted nuts to these laddoos and make it even more protein-rich and nutritious. Check the recipe here.
Tip for health living:
Dates are a concentrated source of energy and much-needed minerals. They are usually found growing on palm trees in the deserts, where nothing much grows. They form an instantaneous source of energy with 100 gms of Mejdool dates providing around 277 calories. This is the reason Muslims eat it after breaking the fast during the holy month of Ramadan. Dates are rich in dietary fibers which prevent constipation. They are also rich in tannins which are known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-infective properties. They also have other antioxidants like beta-carotene, Laurence and Zea-xanthin that protect the cells in the body thereby preventing cancer. Dates are a moderate source of vitamin A and B-complex.Dates are an excellent source of iron and potassium, carrying 0.9 mg iron and 696 mg potassium /100 g of fruit. It is also rich in other minerals like calcium, manganese, copper and magnesium.
References:
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/health-benefits-date-palms-8320.html
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/dates.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12850886
http://foodfacts.mercola.com/dates.html
Food for thought:
We are no longer happy so soon as we wish to be happier. Walter Savage Landor.
