WALNUT & CHERRY Powerballs

I always make sure that I everything I create is delicious, but of course I can’t always promise it’s healthy. Sweet treats and baked goods are close to my heart—they comprise a great deal of my photography and of the recipes I develop and share. But they’re just one small aspect of my overall passion for the culinary complexities of making and enjoying meals day in and day out. And an important part of this passion of eating well is not just creating meals that are delicious, but meals that are healthy. Thankfully, these aren’t always at odds with one another, and this recipe for walnut and cherry power balls is a great example of this.

The walnuts in this recipe are the star, which I’ve toasted and processed into a delectable butter with which to form the balls. Walnuts are good for you in a number of ways, from containing melatonin (3.5 +/- 1.0 ng/g) which encourages healthy sleep cycles (I'll link to study) to providing omega-3 fatty acids (2.5g/oz ALA) which encourage heart health. And since February is American Heart Month, there are few better times to think about the ways in which your daily diet can promote heart health in particular. Adding walnuts to your culinary routine is an easy and effective way to do this, which is why I’ve devised these powerballs. They’re simply a great way to incorporate a nutritious snack into your diet that’s not only a breeze to prepare but also which can help replace other less healthy alternatives to which you might otherwise be prone to gravitate. And in addition to having the health benefits mentioned above, they also have fiber (2g/oz) and especially in protein (4g/oz), living up to the title of powerballs quite well.

Heart health is really important to me in particular because of how it’s been highlighted in my family. Seeing the danger that a diet which doesn’t adequately support heart health can create is sobering. It’s also fortunately encouraging, in that while our health can be adversely affected by unexamined dietary decisions, the reverse is equally true—wise and disciplined dietary decisions can have immediate and lasting benefits that can literally change our lives. I’ll of course never stop creating and consuming the sort of not-so-healthy treats and meals we all love so deeply, but I can enjoy them as the crowning pleasure atop the foundation of an optimally beneficial diet. And sometimes to my surprise, as in the case of these powerballs, I’ll find recipes where the two worlds combine really well. I love it when this happens, and I look forward to finding more ways in which the utterly healthy and utterly delicious join forces in a delightful treat or meal.

1 ½ cup whole, raw, unsalted walnuts

2 1/2 dates, pitted

Pinch kosher salt

1 tsp vanilla extract, optional

2-3 tsp walnut oil, as needed

1 rolled cup oats

1 tbs ground flax seeds, optional

1 tbs chia seeds

¼ cup +2 tbs dried cherries, roughly chopped

Melted dark chocolate, for drizzling.

Method

Heat oven to 350°F. Place the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 8-10 minutes or until fragrant and lightly browned, stirring once.

Carefully transfer the walnuts to a food processor. Process the walnuts for about three minutes, then scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Add the dates and a pinch of salt, and continue processing the walnuts until a smooth walnut butter forms, about 8-10 minutes. Add the vanilla, and process to combine.

* Note, the walnut butter should have the texture of peanut butter. If the walnut butter seems a bit thick, let the food processor run, and add 2-3 tsps of walnut oil as needed.

Transfer the walnut butter to a large bowl, along with the oats, chia seeds, and cherries. Using a spatula, mix everything together until fully combined.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. With a small scoop, or by hand, portion out the mixture out into 9-10, 1 ½ tbs sized portions, then roll into a ball. Place the balls on the lined sheet. Drizzle each ball with a bit of melted chocolate, loosely cover, and place in the refrigerator to let the chocolate set. Enjoy once firm.