when life makes you forget…. eat lemon flavoured treats
Seriously, I truly feel like I am getting dumber and dumber the older I get.
There was one stage when I actually thought I was quite smart (this was when I was about 16 by the way). I did well at school, got good marks and considered myself reasonably “intelligent” – whatever this means. From there on, however I think my brain has been declining in it’s form and function.
This week alone I have managed to burn pasta (!?)…. forget to pick up Viper from work….not understand my tax return AT ALL….spend hours trying to cut fabric which I could have simply ripped (I worked that out after awhile, but really – I should be more on the ball)… and stare blankly at bank statements trying to look as if I know what the hell is going on with interest rates and the likes.
I watched a documentary a few months back with was pretty interesting. This will take you to the show…. but the main gist was about exploring different TYPES of intelligence. From physical intelligence, to creative, to scientific and so on. Basically, the argument was that the general IQ Test is limited in it’s scope…. it only tests one type of intelligence. I’ve never actually taken the IQ Test (shudder shudder) but this documentary gave me hope, that although I’m not an academic or an obviously “intelligent” person…. there may be some sort place in the “intelligence-scope” where I could excel.
I AM pretty good at fridge scraping. Take a few sad looking lemons, (thanks for the inspiration, Kari!) a few odds and ends from packets and jars, and I have a sweet treat that (surprisingly) even Misty enjoyed.
- 1C puffed amaranth (or puffed quinoa/brown rice/buckwheat would work…. anything “puffed”)
- 3T grated and melted cacao butter
- 1T (solid when I measured) coconut oil
- 10 large dates (around 1/2C)
- 1/4t sea salt
- 1T lucuma powder (or maca would be a good sub here… or just additional coconut flour)
- 3T coconut flour
- Zest and juice from 2 lemons
- Pulse all ingredients together in a food processor until a soft dough forms.
- Wet hands and roll into balls.
- These will harden in the fridge.
Aside from a Lemon Meringue tart I made for my Father in Law, this is my first lemony-sweet-treat creation. I will always favour the chocolate route when it comes to snacks…. but I decided to throw caution to the wind and give citrus a chance.
The verdict? Delicious! I am a convert to the zest, for sure.
Even if I can’t solve some crazy physics problem, or understand Algebra (what is WITH all the letters? I thought maths was about numbers?) at least I can create tasty treats.
27 Responses to “when life makes you forget…. eat lemon flavoured treats”
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- - May 22, 2013
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Vegan. Stay at home Mum of Misty. Yoga teacher in training. Passionate about REAL food - creating it, eating it, sharing it. I can never stick to a recipe.
Yum yum yum yum yum. I love zest. I have to try this tomorrow!!! & I tried the bean mush with white beans and it was wonderful
The pressure cooker worked wonders, after soaking overnight it took 30 mins on high with natural release.
I can tell you now that there are definitely multiple intelligences. I have done enough reading on the subject at uni and taught enough people that I can be sure and certain that everyone has their individual strengths. IQ tests are a waste of time for most people… I find it quite depressing that we’ve known this for decades but nothing has changed. Please don’t feel disheartened that you had an off day, we all do! I know for a fact you are creative and intelligent, it’s quite clear
& the tax return is written in alien, so obviously not your fault either xxx
Thanks Claire
So great to hear you tried the bean mush…. pressure cooker sounds AWESOME.
That’s cool you’ve done some research on the subject of intelligence – I really find it all quite fascinating… it’s kind of weird there hasn’t been a new sort of test developed…. oh well.
I’m not yet fluent in Alien, so I will procrastinate over my tax return for, oh, perhaps another month x
Intelligence is so subjective. I am glad that there are other things to measure our smarts by and not just data memory. I am most certain that your creative intelligence is far above most others! xo
Thanks love
Creativity is WAY more fun, huh? x
I would take treat balls over math skills ANY DAY! : )
These look amazing! I am always hesitant about lemon-flavored desserts, but once I have them I’m never disappointed!
Same, treat balls win EVERY time
I’m glad I took the citrus-plunge…. it’s definitely a nice change, and some what lighter than chocolate…. I was super surprised Misty loved them, as they have quick a tangy kick. Crazy kid.
Sounds delicious Lou! I have a bag of millet puffs that are feeling neglected in my pantry at the moment- I never thought to use them in bites before! Thanks for the idea
There are definitely different kinds of intelligence. And my dear, you are so full of meaningful insights and creative kitchen creations that you have no need to worry!
Oh thanks, Gabby
Yes yes, get creating millet-puff-snacks! I get tired of the same same grain components in snacks, so a few alternatives are always welcome. I LOVE buckwheat puffs too
Glad you liked the lemon twist! Chocolate will always have a firm place in my heart (and taste buds) but lemon is great for variety.
On forgetfulness and foolish moments? I have them aplenty too. Last night it took me a good 20 seconds to work out why the zucchini I was chopping for dinner wasn’t smelling or looking the way it should. Turns out it was a cucumber.
Ha, sneaky cucumber, masquerading as a zucchini – cheeky
I’ve really got to get better at making balls. These look yummy. I’m a big fan of citrus and chocolate. Got any chocolatey-orange recipes up your sleeve?
We LOVE topdocumentryfilms.com too!
I love a good documentary…. most TV is utter rubbish these days… I like to watch things that are actually slightly educational (shock, horror!)
Oh yes, you could use this recipe and just sub in the zest and juice of 1 large orange, add 2T cacao and BOOM chocolate/orange ahoy!
Practise makes perfect
Wet your hands first, that always helps!
GRATE the cacao butter! You’re a genius!! That would make it so much easier to melt!
Ha, speaking of IQs…. maybe I have a HIGH kitchen IQ?! Yeah, grating makes it so much quicker to melt
Plus it’s quite fun to grate (I need to get out more!)
what a great post! those look truly delightful! i love lemon flavored treats! they taste so fresh:)
I agree! I’m a convert to all things zesty-flavoured now (although chocolatey will always be my #1!)
Lemon treats are the BEST – way better than chocolate!! I love how – even though I hardly ever have the right kind of wonderful vegany ingredients in your recipes (my fridge is filled with butter, as opposed to cacao butter
) your posts always inspire me to make my own version of your treats. Like its been ages since I had a lemon bar – I wonder if you could make a good one with maple syrup!! I shall have to try!!
Im with you on the intelligence thing girl… so with you – when I was 8 I totally thought going to cambridge was a given. Hmmmm
Oh YEAH… Lemon Maple Bars would be divine…. try them out! Ha, Cambridge – I used to tell people I was ‘going to be a vet, or a psychiatrist when I grow up’ (I actually just had to look up how to spell psychiatrist – so I rest my case right there) HA!
our neighbors have lemon trees, i always make lemonade, but i should definitely zest them next time to make these!! i bet they’d be a great base for a lemon meringue pie or curd or something.
i wonder how id be if i tried to take my high school courses again now as an “adult” – i really dont know if id do as well at all!!
Oh YES…. these as a base to a lemon curd tart would be AWESOME. Zest is pretty good stuff.
I think I would fail miserably at all my high school courses…. I have NO attention span these days.
yum yum! i have some popped quinoa and amaranth that need using up and have been thinking so much about what i could do with them! this post comes just in time! thank u lou as always, you are great!
I LOVE popped quinoa/amaranth…. so so delicious! Such a nice alternative cereal sometimes, huh?
No Cacao Butter here in Australia (or at least in the country town where I am)Lou, would just “upping” the coconut oil work?
Yip – that should work, Livvy – either coconut oil or coconut butter (instructions how to make coconut butter here: http://fridgescrapings.com/2012/10/27/why-buy-when-you-can-make-plus-worthy-investments/)
Basically, you just need need the “butter” component to make these little balls set firm once chilled…. so I am sure either coconut option should work. And if you ever feel the need, you can order cacao butter on line from an awesome Aussie company here: http://www.lovingearth.net/products/2/raw-organic-cacao-butter
Yay 4 me. I’m not at all adventurous when it comes to swapping out ingredients but when I discovered I didn’t have any coconut flour I opted for Almond Meal, added a little extra coconut oil as you advised and YIPPEE!! we have delicious Zesty Lemon Balls. This definitely will be a keeper for me, I absolutely love anything LEMON.
Thanks for the recipe Lou, you are a Star!!!!!
Hooray! Good on you for getting into a bit of “intuitive-cooking” – it’s the best way to learn, seriously
I’m so happy you liked them!