The Truffle Shuffle.

Let's kick off the week leading up to Valentine's Day with a little love talk.

Let's talk about things I love. Oh, just to let you know, it's also my birthday week so I get to talk about whatever I want...qualified or not :) So, numero uno(s). I love God and my family, obviously. You see my love for my family on a daily basis here on the blog. I definitely have a "can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars, over the fence, World Series, kind of stuff" relationship with them. It's solid.

 Completely random fact. I absolutely love hilarious movies. You know the ones that make you laugh so hard that your insides hurt? Yep. It all starts with the movie The Goonies. I swear Chunk is my alter ego. I mean, the kid knows his food. Plus, the Fratelli family? I mean, that is totally my family, only with the extra-super-sized criminal background. No biggie :)

The first time I saw the Goonies I couldn't get Chunk's pudgy belly dance referred to as "the truffle shuffle" out of my head. Obviously, it makes since, right? He's a little hefty...probably from eating truffles, right? Coincidence? Maybe. Anyways, he does a pretty good truffle shuffle. Let me show you my truffle shuffle.

No, it's not actually a real dance. 

This dance begins with peanuts.

Because I can't live without em'. 

Then we add some cacao powder. This stuff is intensely cacao-ish.

Whatever that means.

We are testing our raw recipe skills here.

Your special someone will not be able to tell the difference.

I'm dead serious.

I'm pretty sure that if I was dating that special guy, I would make him some of these.

Hopefully, when that guy comes along he doesn't take advantage of all this baking and cooking going on.

Who am I kidding?

I mean, my family members are pretty much spoiled so

you can do the math :)

You should probably make these for that little love holiday coming up. Just saying. 

Raw Salted Cacao Peanut Truffles (GF/V) recipe adapted from Oh, Ladycakes:

Ingredients:

2 c. raw, unsalted, peanuts

1/4 c. raw organic cacao powder (you can also use cocoa powder, plus more for dusting)

1/2 t. fine sea salt

12 pitted Medjool dates, soaked in warm water for 15 minutes (reserve the date water)

6 T. of date water

Instructions:

1. In a food processor, process the peanuts, cacao, and salt on high until you reach a fine meal.

2. Add the dates and pulse until combined. 

3. Add the date water and pulse until a dough begins to form. 

4. Place the dough in a large mixing bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze for 30 minutes, or until set. 

5. Remove the dough from the freezer, and using a cookie scoop, roll the dough into teaspoon sized round balls. 

6. Place the balls on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Lightly dust each ball with a hint of cacao (the cacao is very strong so a little goes a long way).

7. Store in the freezer in plastic containers. Enjoy at room temperature.

Makes 25 truffles.

MANGIA!!!