Moroccan Spiced Dark Chocolate Truffles with Fig Essence

i thought i had better give you something sweet.  i've been so elbow deep in pork bellies and other various savory goods lately that i've forgotten about all the wonderful delicious dark truffles i've made along the way.  these Moroccan inspired truffles were a big hit.  they came and went so fast i forgot to post about them.

we've all seen fig truffles...some touting to be "healthy fig truffles".  i've made these before, but i think there's too much chewy fig and not enough chocolate.
why skimp on the chocolate ?
chocolate IS a "superfood" !
to keep the full flavor of the chocolate, but still have the essence of the fig, i decided to just use the gooey-caramel-brown sugar-like inside with the snappy seeds...the seeds are the fun part.  i love the tiny pop-crunch in the mouth.
i liken it to the "caviar of the fruit world".

the warm Moroccan spices, snappy fig seeds and the salted pistachios all work together for one delicious dark chocolate ball of flavor.

ganache can be a little temperamental so i've put in a little note, but overall truffles are quite easy and people are always amazed and appreciative of homemade chocolates.

MOROCCAN SPICED DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES WITH  FIG SEEDS (dairy free)

1 large bar (250g) Valrhona dark chocolate  61%

3/4 cup full fat coconut milk...canned (can use heavy cream for "dairy people")

1/2 tsp Moroccan spices (recipe below)

1/2 tsp cardamom

5-6 dried white figs,just the seeds and inside.
roasted AND salted  pistachios, chopped

first you might need to rehydrate your figs.  soak them in some near boiling water for about 10 minutes until they are pliable.  slice them open and scrape the insides out.
put coconut milk, Moroccan spice, cardamom and fig seeds in a small sauce pan and slowly bring to a good simmer.  stir while heating.  you might need to whisk a little to incorporate everything.   when mixture is just about at a boil (bubbling at the side) pour over chopped chocolate and let sit for 3-4 minutes.  then start to stir from the middle.  your ganache should slowly come together.  now stir to incorporate.  TASTE TEST.  do you want more spices, cardamom?.  let sit and come to room temp.  then refrigerate until set and worthy of truffle making.
NOTE...sometimes these take a little extra care.  i have had a few instances with my ganache "breaking" when using coconut milk and Valrhona chocolate.  "breaking" can mean an oily looking surface and or a grainy texture.  there are many ways to fix this and some are too involved.  i have tried them and it's messy.  here's what works for me.  if this happens i reheat the ganache over a double boiler until it is back to liquid and stirrable.  take it off the heat and whisk...not too too vigorous or you will end up with frosting, but enough to bring it together.  i liken it to RE-emulsifying the mixture.  let sit on the counter and check it in a while.  if it is still separating, give it another stir.
i am not a professional chocolatier so if i run in to a chocolate problem i refer the the vast knowledge of the internet.  a good place to start is "The Chocolate Doctor" .  this great site has answered many of my chocolate questions.

MOROCCAN SPICE MIX

from Anja's Food for Thought

2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1/2 chili powder

1/2 sweet paprika

1/2 ground cinnamon

1/4 ground ginger

1/8 ground clove

CHOCOLATE COCONUT HEALTHY TRUFFLES

i like to call these "POWER BALLS"

a great alternative to all the sweet sugary goodies we are going to be exposed to in the next month or so. not that all those sugary goodies will be a problem or anything, but you can throw some of these together to make yourself feel good.....besides...they are really tasty!

full of goodness with natural sugars from dates and figs,  these will definitely get you through one of those "I NEED SOMETHING SWEET RIGHT NOW" moments.  you know, when you grab for bad stuff that will hype you up then put you to sleep in the blink of an eye

these little gems are so easy to make and i must say friends and family were quite pleased.  not only are they delicious, but they are impressive looking...anything "truffle-like" always seems decadent. 

i have seen many of these recipes around, but the one that caught my eye was from ANJAS Food 4 Thought called Coconut Pistachio Truffles...NOTE...i'm having trouble inserting the link, but you should really check out her whole blog.  i have tried many of her recipes and they all are fabulous...and healthy too.  try her recipe for Flourless Almond Butter Honey Cake, so simple soooo good (i'm making another one today).  try anjasfood4thought.blogspot.com.  sorry my link thingy is not working.  i will insert the info later.

here are 2 recipes i put together

the basic instructions are the same

POWER BALLS...Healthy Truffles

1st recipe

makes about 15-20 depending on how you roll

4 Calimyrna (white) figs

4 Medjool dates 

1 tsp vanilla

1.3 c. almonds 2-3 Tbsp cocoa powder

3-4 Tbsp unsweetened coconut

1 tsp coconut oil

 woops...i almost forgot to mention...i DID put a little cayenne pepper with the cocoa powder that i rolled them in.  i love the extra kick in the pants.  the ones rolled in coconut were for the ones who can't take the heat.

2nd recipe

this made ALOT...i forgot to count...24-30 ?

12 Medjool dates

5 Calimyrna (white) figs

1/2 c. unsweetened coconut

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp cardamom

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/4 c. salted roasted almonds

1/2 c. blanched almonds

if your dates and figs are too dry soften them by pouring boiling water over them and let them soak for 10-15 mins...i would suggest doing this.  then drain them and pat dry before using.  combine all ingredients in a food processor.  pulse at first, then give it good whirl.  you want a fairly smooth texture to resemble a smooth chocolaty truffle.  NOTE...if you want a little almond crunch inside, just add more of your almonds last to the processor and pulse to your liking.  taste as you go...check your spices.

now...with your hands, form balls the size of a cherry or a walnut and roll in cocoa powder, coconut, finely chopped nuts or anything you like...all the sudden you have these cute little beautiful truffles.  keep in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate.  i liked mine chilled...they kept well for at  a least a week.