bites - Quinoa Chocolate Drops

By tinathorn

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup quinoa, pre-rinsed
• 2/3 cup water
• 16 whole (pitted) dates, no sugar added
• 1/2 cup raw almonds with skin
• 1/3 cup natural crunchy peanut butter (optional, almond butter or SunButter)
• 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips

Preparation

Step 1

Add quinoa and water to a small saucepan, cover and bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cook approximately 12-15 minutes, or until all water has been absorbed. Quinoa should still be warm when adding to the ingredients below.

Using a food processor, add dates, and pulse until they form a ball. Remove dates and place in a medium mixing bowl. Add almonds to the food processor and pulse until finely minced. Be careful not to turn the almonds into mill. Add dates (ball), minced almonds, peanut butter and warm quinoa to the food processor and pulse until ingredients are well combined. Add chocolate chips and pulse until combined and chips are melted into the mixture. Return ingredients to the mixing bowl, shape into 24 - 1" drops or balls. Roll drops in crushed almonds if desired. Place on a dish, refrigerate until set.