Black Sesame Walnut Bliss Balls
Revitalizewith Black Sesame Walnut Bliss Balls! Packed with goji berries and jujubes,these chewy no-bake treats nourish kidney yin and boost energy.
Servings: 12 balls
Calories: 144kcal
Equipment
- food processor
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup goji berries
- 6 - 8 jujubes (Chinese red dates) *see notes
- boiled water enough to soak goji berries and jujubes
- 1 cup black sesame seeds
- ¾ cup walnuts
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon dried ground (optional)
- ½ teaspoon ginger dried ground (optional)
- ½ teaspoon cardamom dried ground (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 - 4 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Rinse 6 to 8 Chinese red dates (jujubes) and ⅓ cup goji berries and soak in boiled water for 5 minutes to soften. Set aside,
- In the meantime, toast 1 cup sesame seeds and ¾ cup walnuts over medium high heat for about 5 minutes or until popping and roasted aroma. Cool
- Drain jujubes and goji berries. Remove the pit and coarsely chop the jujubes.
- Add cooled black sesame seeds and walnuts to a food processor. Pulse until finely ground. Occasionally brush down the sides.
- Add the prepared goji berries and Chinese red dates to the food processor with the ground black sesame mixture. Push the mixture down into the food processor so the blades can rotate, put the lid on and blend until broken down and mixed well.
- To the pureed black sesame mixture, add 1 teaspoon dried cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ginger, ½ teaspoon cardamon, ¼ teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons of honey. Blend and periodically clean the sides of the food processor and continue mixing until the mixture changes from a powder to a dough that sticks together. If the mixture is still not sticking together, add one tablespoon of honey at a time and continue mixing. Depending on the humidity, the moisture level of the soaked goji berries and Chinese red dates and how powerful your food processor or high-powered blender is, it will probably take you between 2 to 4 tablespoons of honey to achieve a pliable black sesame mixture that can be formed into a ball.
- Use a tablespoon as a scoop and form into balls.
- Garnish with sesame seeds, ground walnuts or goji berries. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Recipe Tips
- Don’t pitch the water used to soak the jujubes and goji berries as this makes for a delicious nourishing hot tea beverage.
- A high-powered blender or small food processor works best for pulverizing and blending the ingredients.
- Stop the food processor occasionally and push down the black sesame seed mixture down to the blades with a spoon or spatula to facilitate the blending of ingredients.
- The amount of honey depends on the size of your dates; how powerful your food processor is and the humidity of your kitchen. You may need less or more honey to form into balls.
- The natural oils in the black sesame seeds and walnuts will make the balls look shiny, and your hands when you roll them. In addition, this oil will help the mixture form into balls.
- Want to make this black sesame recipe vegan? Try maple syrup, instead of honey or add more dates.
- Black sesame bliss balls are naturally gluten-free. If you are celiac, be sure to purchase certified gluten-free ingredients.
- Add different nuts or seeds such as pumpkin seeds, pecans, almonds or even pistachios. Although these nuts and seeds are also a healthy option, they do not have the safe medicinal qualities for boosting kidney and brain health in TCM.
- Go Tropical! Try adding dried desiccated coconut, dried pineapple or dried mango.
- Chocolate Lover? Sprinkle with unsweetened cocoa powder or add mini dark chocolate chips before rolling.
- Virgin Black Sesame Seed Snobs like us? Skip the added spices or added flavorings and let the deeply roasted black sesame flavor be the dominant flavor.
Nutrition
Serving: 1bliss ball | Calories: 144kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 90mg | Potassium: 97mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 2mg
