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Meet Beth

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local milk is a journal devoted to home cookery, travel, family, and slow living—to being present & finding sustenance of every kind. It’s about nesting abroad & finding the exotic in the everyday. Most of all it’s about the perfection of imperfections and seeing the beauty of everyday, mundane life.

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A long time ago in a different life (or at least i A long time ago in a different life (or at least it feels that way) I was riding in a car at night with @whereissionnie to meet up with @ruthielindsey and @1924us for bonfires and general cabin shenanigans outside of Nashville. 

I remember the drive so well. It’s a conversation that always stuck with me. We talked about trauma and crisis. And I don’t know much, but I shared the only thing I know, a thing that has served me well through the natural undulations life is bound to bring.

And that is simply sometimes you have to cling to the mast. You aren’t doing anything but surviving but that’s the most important work of all. Because the storm WILL pass. And you‘ll be left standing.

And when it does you can mend the sails. Untangle the ropes. And get on with the business of sailing.

I’ve learned to give myself permission to do nothing but make it through. To sleep a little too late. To dance in front of the mirror and feel myself even when I look ridiculous. To load and unload the dishwasher and allow that to be a great victory. To dress like a cartoon character in nothing but white t-shirts and denim shorts.  To eat mac & cheese from a box and frozen chicken nuggets sometimes. To not respond to text messages. To flail and get back up over and over. To ask for help. A lot.

And also permission to feel it all. Rage. Grief. Joy. Hope and hopelessness. And sometimes all within the span of a few minutes. 

And most of all, whether navigating calm waters or stormy ones, what matters more than anything is the crew you’re doing it with. Surround yourself with solid people.

People that challenge you with compassion. And humor. People whose strengths buttress your weakness. People that don’t judge you. That believe in you even when you think they’re maniacs for doing so.

I know a disproportionate amount of us have had rough seas this year. Cling to the mast in the storm. Choose your crew wisely. No storm ever lasted forever. But there never was a last storm in the world. Accept that they will come and be prepared.

Raw Vegan(izable) Chocolate Truffles: Chamomile + Lavender + Bee Pollen & Almond Butter + Cayenne + Hemp Seed

dessert

02.01.2014

raw vegan chocolate truffles: chamomile + lavender + bee pollen

raw vegan chocolate truffles: almond butter + cayenne + hemp seed

valentine recipe: raw vegan chocolate truffles

These are raw. Vegan (if you substitute agave for the honey & skip the bee pollen in favor of a dusting of chamomile—I use honey, but do not use bee products of any kind if vegan or cooking for vegans!). Gluten & refined sugar free. Paleo? Kosher? Superfood? I don’t know. I vaguely care. I care if you care because I care about you. But ultimately, the labels aren’t what interests me. What interests me is their flavor and their sheer, old power. If you labor under dietary restrictions for health, religious, or philosophical reasons—these are the truffles for you, obviously. But say you’re like me, someone who will eat pretty much anything in moderation so long as it’s not produced in a way that makes your soul cringe or stomach turn? And who sometimes maybe eats Spaghettios to the detriment of yourself and the entire world? Who compulsively buys butter even with plenty at home because oh my god what if I’m wrong and I don’t have butter? Someone who bakes with white flour & white sugar without shame? Why would you bother? Because treats for the sake of nothing more than sensual pleasure are grand in mindful moderation, but they’re not as grand as treats with return. Sensual pleasures that are good for you, that build you up, are basically the holy grail of pleasures. Which is what these are.

raw vegan chocolate truffles: chamomile + lavender + bee pollen

raw vegan chocolate truffles: almond butter + cayenne + hemp seed

valentine recipe: raw vegan chocolate truffles

valentine recipe: raw vegan chocolate truffles

As those of you who follow me on Instagram know, I’ve been without a stove (or sink) for over a month now due to renovating the kitchen with Tara & Percy of The Jersey Ice Cream Co. (I can’t wait to reveal their beautiful work later this month when my new range arrives!) Anyhow, having no stove, counter, or shelves and doing dishes in the bathroom sink has resulted in no new recipes from me for a while, naturally. When I partnered with U.S. t-shirt makers Pickwick & Weller to explore the things that inspire us all & share about their #PickWell campaign (Share your memorable moments—from your morning coffee to a tree line—along with the #Pickwell hashtag on Instagram and get $10 off your order. Each time you do it. Yep.), I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. Being a cook without a kitchen wasn’t feeling terribly inspiring. Then these raw truffles came to me, and I realized it’s actually my limitations that often inspire me, and that’s why, while I might not have a horse in the raw vegan food race, I find making it invigorating. Limits and constraints push us to find elegant solutions. It’s the virtue of the sonnet. Parameters—from budgets to metre to dietary restrictions—in skilled hands will yield creativity you’d never get without them. When we strive to live within reasonable bounds—like buying & eating locally or making the healthier choice (from time to time at least…)—the result is we experience more, not less. Giving yourself whatever you want whenever you want is itself a kind of slavery, tyranny of the self. So if you’re a doubting doubter, I urge you to step outside your comfort zone and try making these truffles. They’re a revelation. And speaking of things that don’t interest me along the lines of labels, it’s Valentine’s Day soon, so tis the season for truffle making, right? You’ve really no excuse. In order to rescue Valentine’s Day from being the sole province of romantic love, make these for your mom, your best friend, your kids, and that super sexy hearts and stars person too. I know I will be. I’d like truffles and this linen tank, plskthx. Now a little more about these enigmatic truffles…

raw vegan chocolate truffles: chamomile + lavender + bee pollen

raw vegan chocolate truffles: chamomile + lavender + bee pollen

raw vegan chocolate truffles: almond butter + cayenne + hemp seed

Old power. Deep roots that tend on down. These are bites that taste of the way the world is stitched. They taste like good karma, like floating in the milky way. As opposed to thrashing against it like so many of us in this brave new world love to do (myself oft included). Creamy fat of coconut, ruddy raw cocoa, sea salt, and raw Tupelo honey (or whatever raw honey you can find locally) form the base. From there, you can play. My favorite additions, perhaps because they amplify the already outrageous health benefits of these truffles, are hemp seeds and bee pollen. The pollen is so earthy and sweet, the hemp hearts nutty and warm. A few dried flowers ground to a fine powder here, some raw almond butter there. Cayenne. Ground white tea & rose petals. Peppermint leaves. Vanilla bean. Ceylon cinnamon. Freshly grated nutmeg. Citrus zest. Just a few suggestions in addition to the recipes below. Really, you can do anything with these. Blank canvas. Flax or chia seeds would be good too. And bitter cocoa nibs. The two I’m giving you here are my favorites so far. I really like them with Earl Gray powder in them too. And they’re very smart with smoked salt (not being a raw foodist, I can’t say whether smoked salt ruins their raw food street cred? I guess it doesn’t if it doesn’t go above 104°F?). As a general rule I roll them in the crunchier, chunkier bits like seeds and nibs (with the exception of salt, which I put inside), and I grind up any dried herbs or what have you that I want put inside.

raw vegan chocolate truffles: chamomile + lavender + bee pollen 

Print
raw chamomile + lavender + bee pollen chocolate truffles

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unrefined coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup coconut butter (can sub coconut oil)
  • 5-6 Tablespoons raw cacao powder
  • 2-3 Tablespoons local raw honey OR for vegan 1-2 Tablespoons agave or to taste
  • 1-2 Tablespoons agave or to taste
  • 1 heaping teaspoon dried chamomile, ground
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried lavender, ground
  • 2 Tablespoons bee pollen, ground OR to make vegan grind up 2 T chamomile and sub

Instructions

  1. Melt the coconut butter & oil. This can be achieved by sitting them in the sun on a warm day or by very gently heating on the stove or in the microwave until just melted. Whisk with a fork to melt completely.
  2. Whisk in the cacao powder, and then whisk in the honey. Taste and adjust to desired level of sweetness, starting with 2 Tablespoons.
  3. Add in salt, starting with 1/4 teaspoon. Whisk well to combine, taste, and add more if desired. I like to taste the salt in my chocolates, personally.
  4. Whisk in the ground chamomile and lavender, and place the bowl in the fridge for about 3 minutes. Whisk with a fork and then place back in the fridge for an additional 5 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, wrap a few ice cubes in a kitchen towel (this is to keep your palms cold while you roll the truffles to somewhat mitigate the mess!). Line a sheet tray with wax paper and place the ground bee pollen in a small bowl or cup.
  6. Remove the bowl from the fridge and roll the truffles quickly between your palms, rolling them around in the bee pollen just to coat, and then placing them on the wax paper. Chill palms on the ice cubes between each truffle.
  7. Chill the truffles on the sheet tray for about half an hour before storing them in the fridge in an air tight container...and enjoy!
3.1
https://localmilkblog.com/2014/02/raw-vegan-truffles.html

raw vegan chocolate truffles: almond butter + cayenne + hemp seed

Print
raw vegan almond butter + cayenne + hemp seed chocolate truffles

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unrefined coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup coconut butter (can sub coconut oil)
  • 5-6 tablespoons raw cacao powder
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt or to taste
  • 2-3 Tablespoons local raw honey OR for vegan 1-2 Tablespoons agave or to taste
  • 4 Tablespoons raw almond butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons hemp seed hearts
  • 1 tablespoon raw cacao powder for dusting

Instructions

  1. melt the coconut butter & oil. this can be achieved by sitting them in the sun on a warm day or by very gently heating on the stove or in the microwave until just melted. whisk with a fork to melt completely.
  2. whisk in the cacao powder, and then whisk in the honey. taste and adjust to desired level of sweetness, starting with 2 tablespoons.
  3. add in salt, starting with 1/4 teaspoon. whisk well to combine, taste, and add more if desired. i like to taste the salt in my chocolates, personally.
  4. whisk in the almond butter and cayenne, taste and adjust if desired, and place the bowl in the fridge for about 3 minutes. whisk with a fork and then place back in the fridge for an additional 5 minutes.
  5. meanwhile, wrap a few ice cubes in a kitchen towel (this is to keep your palms cold while you roll the truffles to somewhat mitigate the mess!). line a sheet tray with wax paper and mix the hemp seeds and cacao for dusting in a small bowl or cup.
  6. remove the bowl from the fridge and roll the truffles quickly between your palms, rolling them around in the hemp seed & cacao powder mixture just to coat, and then place them on the wax paper. chill palms on the ice cubes between each truffle.
  7. chill the truffles on the sheet tray for about half an hour before storing them in the fridge in an air tight container...and enjoy!
3.1
https://localmilkblog.com/2014/02/raw-vegan-truffles.html

If you want to check out more about Pickwick & Weller, here’s a beautiful video that pretty much captures what they’re all about…fresh pasta to sparklers.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post, and I was compensated for my participation. The opinions, stories, recipes, and ramblings are, as per usual, all my own.

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tags: almond butter, candy, cayenne, chamomile, chocolate, gluten free, hemp seed, home made, lavender, paleo, raw, sugar free, truffle, valentine, valentine's day, vegan

32 thoughts on “Raw Vegan(izable) Chocolate Truffles: Chamomile + Lavender + Bee Pollen & Almond Butter + Cayenne + Hemp Seed”

  1. phi@PrincessTofu says:
    February 1, 2014 at 2:14 am

    Look at that snazzy marble!

    Reply
  2. Rebecca says:
    February 1, 2014 at 3:32 pm

    oh man, these look crazy, crazy delicious. as always your photography and writing are beautiful.

    Reply
  3. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says:
    February 1, 2014 at 3:36 pm

    These look so dang delicious – I love the fun tea flavours you used as well!! xx

    Reply
  4. cynthia says:
    February 1, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    Beautiful, Beth! Especially loving the mix of dark and light shots today — and such a vibrant collection of flavors! It kind of blows my mind, but in a good way. Thanks for the inspiration, as always <3

    Reply
  5. jc says:
    February 1, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    Delicious vegan food is one reason why the number of vegans has doubled in less than 3 years. Here’s a video to help everyone understand why so many people are making this life affirming choice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKr4HZ7ukSE

    Join the revolution! 21-Day Vegan Kickstart http://www.pcrm.org/health/diets/kickstart/kickstart-programs

    Reply
  6. Pingback: raw vegan chocolate truffles: chamomile + lavender + bee pollen & almond butter + cayenne + hemp seed
  7. cheri says:
    February 1, 2014 at 9:35 pm

    You are a wonderful writer and your pics are wonderful too. Always look forward to your posts. Thanks!

    Reply
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  9. Juliette Guillermin says:
    February 2, 2014 at 3:21 pm

    What a wonderful shooting… So refined as usual !
    http://www.sweetnessandphotography.blogspot.fr

    Reply
  10. s-b says:
    February 3, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    uh bee pollen is not vegan??

    Reply
    1. beth says:
      February 3, 2014 at 3:44 pm

      No, it isn’t. I note that in the post and recipe. They’re only vegan if you use agave & roll them in chamomile instead. I gave two versions!

      Reply
    2. beth says:
      February 3, 2014 at 3:44 pm

      But I edited the post title to make it even more clear : )

      Reply
  11. Chloe says:
    February 3, 2014 at 10:27 pm

    Beautiful pictures! Fabulous and mystical truffe recipe. I discovered you blog not so long ago and I am ready it bit by bit eve since 😉 You are such a talented writer, photographer, recipe maker, the list is too long!
    I have a little question about the lavender in the recipe: are the flowers from MountainRoseHerbs? I was thinking of buying some from them, but it seems like it is “lavandin” (Lavandula x intermedia)? If I remember correctly, lavandin is bitter (more used in cosmestics or EO)… Or maybe the store info are a bit misleading?
    Just in case you have a good address for lavender flowers 🙂

    Reply
  12. Rikki says:
    February 3, 2014 at 11:26 pm

    What a lovely treat, I’ll have to give these a try sometime. May I just add how much I enjoy the competing light & bright to dark & moody you’ve taken on in these images. Fantastic diversity.

    Reply
  13. Juliana says:
    February 4, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    Wow. You are such a GREAT writer. Probably one of the best bloggers I have read in a while. Thank you for the beautiful work with words and images. PS: as a chocolate [truffle] maker who is constantly trying to create new flavors I absolutely LOVE this post. Fantastic use of ingredients and infusion!!!
    Juliana

    Reply
  14. Leonie says:
    February 6, 2014 at 6:52 am

    OMG I’ve just found your blog via pinterest and I adore your writing 🙂 You’ve totally explained how I feel about food too… that’s definintely what it’s all about: visceral, tactile, connected eating; enjoying each exotic note of taste, smell and texture. Love it! Thank you for your evocative writing. Would love for you to visit me at http://thiswholesoul.blogspot.com.au/ 🙂
    Leonie xo

    Reply
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  17. Lindsay says:
    February 8, 2014 at 7:24 am

    All i want to do is frame these photos and go make vegan truffles. Love.

    Reply
    1. beth says:
      February 11, 2014 at 11:18 pm

      Thank you! Maybe one day I’ll sell prints. : )

      Reply
  18. Tony says:
    February 8, 2014 at 11:08 am

    I love this recipe!
    But I’ve got a problem with finding coconut-butter where I live. Do you know anything I could use instead?

    Reply
    1. beth says:
      February 11, 2014 at 11:18 pm

      You can use all coconut oil!

      Reply
  19. Pingback: Currently Crushing On. | pinmeplease
  20. Rowan says:
    February 9, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    Simply wonderful photos. Beautiful, clean, leant, inspiring. I love them!

    Reply
  21. Jade Sheldon-Burnsed says:
    February 11, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    Oh Beth, these images are INCREDIBLE. Like, beyond stunning. I am so excited to see your new kitchen and can’t wait to see the magic you create inside of it. I am making these truffles asap. Even with limits you continue to wow…

    Reply
    1. beth says:
      February 11, 2014 at 11:07 pm

      Thank you! I can’t encourage making these enough. I love to play with them… their an amazing blank canvas, arguably a “vitamin”, and…they’re candy. Win, win.

      Reply
  22. Pingback: Best of the Web: Chocolate Treats | Williams-Sonoma Taste
  23. Deryn @ Running on Real Food says:
    February 13, 2014 at 9:21 pm

    I’m in love with your photos!! And I can’t believe I just came across blog, it’s lovely. Thanks for the recipe!!

    Reply
  24. Megan says:
    February 19, 2014 at 10:40 am

    My mum & I made the chamomile truffles , and they were just absolutely lovely ! These photos featured are simply beautiful , they are so clear and clean and overall just incredible .

    Reply
  25. Tessa says:
    April 21, 2014 at 11:41 pm

    These truffle recipes are so complex and flavorful! I just made the almond butter + cayenne + hemp seed chocolate truffles, and they are delicious. Will definitely be making these again. Thanks for the recipes!

    Reply
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