Tropical Truffles

The weather is finally starting to get a little better in The Netherlands! That's why I decided to make these Tropical Truffles. These delicious truffles include all kinds of tropical flavors that make you think of the beach. Besides being delicious, they're pretty healthy too! It is a very easy recipe that only has 5 ingredients. Basically all you have to do is combine the ingredients, make them into little balls and cover them with chocolate. And when you take a bite, it will feel like summer!

Makes about 25 truffles

Action time: 20 minutes + 1 hour cooling time

Ingredients:

3.5 oz / 100 g fresh pineapple

5 tbsp / 100 g coconut oil

2 cups / 175 g desiccated coconut

4 tbsp maple syrup

3.5 oz / 100 g 75% dark chocolate, in pieces

Extra: parchment paper

1. Finely chop the pineapple (the pieces should be really small). 

2. Melt the coconut oil, if it's not already in liquid form. Put the desiccated coconut in a bowl. Mix in the coconut oil and the maple syrup and stir until well combined. Add the pineapple and mix well. Put the mixture in the fridge for about 30 minutes, or until you can squeeze it without it falling apart.

3. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler (or a microwave).

4. Take the coconut mixture out of the fridge and roll it into about 25 little balls. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dip the balls into the melted chocolate. I used a handy spiral dipping tool (see 2nd picture) but you can also use a fork. Lay the chocolate balls on the prepared sheet.

5. Put the baking sheet in the fridge for about 30 minutes, until the chocolate has hardened. You can keep them in a container in the fridge for about a week.

Enjoy!

Chocolate-Orange Truffles

It's Thanksgiving!!! That's why I made these delicious chocolate-orange truffles coated in chopped pistachios.I love pistachios! It is quite easy and fun to make and you don't need a lot of ingredients. 

For 16-18 truffles, you will need 200 g (7 oz.) dark orange chocolate, 200 ml (scant 1 cup) heavy cream, 1-2 tsp finely grated orange zest (optional), 50 g (about 1/3 cup) unsalted pistachios, 1-2 tbs cacao.

1. Chop the chocolate until finely chopped.

2. Place the chocolate in a bowl.

3. In a small saucepan, heat the cream until bubbles begin to appear around edges.Don't let it cook.

4. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate in the bowl and let stand for 2 minutes.

5. For extra citrus flavor, you can add a little orange zest.

6. Stir the chocolate mixture gently with a rubber spatula.

7. Stop mixing when the chocolate is smooth and shiny.

8. Pour the mixture into a little dish, and smooth the top.

9. Cover and put in the fridge for about 2 hours to set.

10. While you are waiting, chop the pistachios finely by hand, in a grinder or food processor.

11. Take the chocolate out of the fridge and make little balls with a spoon and your hands.  Put the chopped pistachios on one plate and put the cacao on another plate. Roll the chocolate balls in the pistachios or cacao until evenly coated. Put them on a plate and chill in the fridge until needed.

12. Your hands will get dirty so wash them often! 

TIP The chocolate absorbs the cacao a little, so roll them once more in the cacao just before serving.

 Happy Turkey Day!