I have been seriously busy working on my Iraqi mini-cookbook project which is due in three months; the book will be published in Arabic so I figured I’d give you a sneak peak today. These are totally healthy truffles, since they’re made with apricots; also perfect for breaking fast if that applies to you.
INGREDIENTS: 25 small balls
- 1 cup of dried apricots (200 g.)
- 3/4 cup of shredded sweetened coconut
- 3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk (more as needed)
- rind of an orange or 1 tsp of orange blossom water
- extra coconut for dipping balls into (about 1/2 cup) or ground pistachios
METHOD:
- Place the apricots in the bowl of a food processor; add the coconut; start the machine and process for a few minutes; insert the orange rind or the orange blossom water through the feed tube along with the condensed milk; stop the machine after 3 minutes to see if the mixture is damp or still dry; if still dry, add more condensed milk. Process until a dough forms.
- Transfer the apricot dough to a plastic bag and refrigerate. When ready to shape, use a small cookie dough scooper and form small balls. Dip into some shredded coconut or pistachios. Serve.
Lebanese weddings are so over-the-top, fun and exuberant; dancing starts early in the afternoon at the bride’s family home and does not end till the wee hours of the morning. Lots of great food, too, of course!
28 Comments
Oh quel régal ! Et bravo pour ce projet extra !
Bisous
Hélène
So exciting for your book project! These are delicious – like date balls. Love the orange blossom bonus.
Delicious and healthy! I love that combination of flavors.
Cheers,
Rosa
The best part of Lebanese weddings is throwing money at the couple on the dance floor!
This looks so amazing. Thank you for sharing it! Are you planning an English version of the cookbook as well?
~Trudy
hummm!! j’adore ces petites bouchées gorgées de soleil!! bravo pour ton livre et merci pour l’avant gout!! grosses bises!
Apricot “Delights” might work better than Apricot “Balls” in a google search.
Just saying …
Pierre
@Trudy; thanks! I don’t know, we’ll see. Most probably if the Arabic version gets well received.
@Pierre: I am already getting such a huge amount of traffic I feel guilty about not posting every day! but i ‘ll pass your suggestion on to my IT man (son), thanks!
@Samir: It was the publisher’s idea and I was enthusiastic about it; I had been to Iraq, still have friends there and planning a trip and love the country and its people; Iraq has incredible history and archeology and traditions. Nothing to do with its sad recent past.
@Julie: This post is one sneak peak! I will let you know; at the moment, it is scheduled for 6 months from now and will be distributed throughout the Arab world in Arabic
Delicious treat Joumana…apricot and coconut all together with condensed milk…perfect!
Thanks for the recipe and hope you are having a wonderful week
A visually beautiful post and those apricot balls look very tasty.
I also second the request for an English version of the cookbook!
These truffles are gorgeous!
lovely recipe and photo..and all the best with your cook book project. ..I like apricot sweetmeats actually .very curious how you came about to do an Iraqi cookbook ?
If this is a peek into your cookbook it will be spectacular. I 3rd the request for an English translation.
I love Lebanese food…thank you for your recipes!
These are so pretty! I love the color. They sound delicious too with the apricots and orange blossom water. These would be great for a party.
These are amazing Joumana and are reminiscent of ladoos made in India. I have never seen them made with apricots only coconut so I am tickled by these
The presentation is just beautiful and so inviting with the orange centers.
You know how happy I am about your new cook-book venture but just for kicks let me say it again
chow! Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
These apricot balls are so beautiful! Coconut and apricot is such a good combo.I bet they taste amazing.
These look like the perfect snack!
I am so excited to hear about your book project. Where will it be available? Iraqi food is something so unique and delicious, and there are not enough recipe resources out there. I hope you’ll give us some more sneak peeks!
Quelle jolie mariée… J’ai rapporté des abricots du Liban, un vrai bonheur… Il en reste trop peu pour ta recette… J’espère que tout va bien pour toi, dans la tourmente quand même en ce moment au Liban
Bisous
How exciting, Joumana! I love this delicious ‘sneak peak’. Dried apricots have always been a favorite snack of mine so I know I would love these! Beautifully presented, as always.
Dried apricots have become one of my favorite energy foods. Thank you for sharing this healthy and beautiful truffle. I’m glad I found your blog!
These look delicious – I used to buy something similar in Australia, but I must try making my own!
Hey this looks really delicious I would really love to make this – just a question the dried apricots that you used in the recipe are they the dried ones like the zardalu (wild dried apricots) or the yellow flattened ones that you get in middle eastern store? thanks!
@kp: I am not sure! I got them in Beirut, they looked like dried apricots I have always seen, more like an orange color. This recipe should work with either kind (although I have never seen the zardalu that you mention), because if they are too dry just add a bit more condensed milk or the opposite.
A cookbook, how exciting! These are too pretty not to try.
Voilà de délicieuses ” balles ” avec lesquelles je passerait volontiers quelques instants gourmands
Pinning this, a good idea for a healthy yet satisfying snack.