- Be sure there are no pits left in the dates. Use a knife to chop them into small pieces (they are very hard to chop in a food processor).
- Combine all the ingredients in the food processor except the dates, raisins and coconut. Mix to a puree. Add the dates and raisins and pulse a few times until the mixture begins to clump together.
- Remove the mixture from the food processor and shape into small balls. Roll the balls in the coconut and serve.
Recipe of Michael Makhan, from the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation cookbook « 100 recettes pour toi mon cœur ».
Chocolate health tip
Dark chocolate for a sweet tooth
Dark chocolate containing at least 70% cocoa has more antioxidants and less sugar than other types. On the other hand, dark chocolate is high in fat (particularly saturated fat). This fat is primarily stearic acid, however, and unlike other saturated fats, it does not appear to increase CVD risk. Check the list of ingredients on the label to be sure that it contains only cocoa mass, cocoa butter, sugar, small amounts of lecithin and natural flavours. Despite its attractive qualities, dark chocolate should be enjoyed only a little at a time because of its calorie content and high fat content.