Happy 2023 everyone.

We are back this year for Zodiac food and will have a slight focus on healthy desserts. If you have a sweet tooth like me then you will understand how that dessert is of the utmost importance. But we all know how sugar is not good for us specially processed sugar.

My aim this year is to write dessert recipes that are tasty but also healthy.

This month we focus on the Lunar festival. My dessert is a sweet round ball. Rice balls are a staple for Chinese New Year. Their rounded shape is associated with reunion and being together. I did not make rice balls but I made Almond and Coconut round balls. Their sweetness will bring sweetness in your life for this year and hopefully it brings your family together.

First let us look at what the Lunar New Year is about.

Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year. It is a major holiday in China and is celebrated in countries with a significant Chinese population.

Where I am from, Chinese New Year is a public holiday. Mauritius is very cosmopolitan, so we have public holidays for Chinese New Year, Diwali, Eid ul fitr (celebrating end of Ramadan), Abolition of slavery, Maha Shivaratri (celebration of the Lord Shiva), Easter, All soul’s day amongst others. There are a significant amount of public holidays in Mauritius as they celebrate every culture.

Growing up the Lunar festival was a highlight. Everything stops for a week. Most of the Chinese shops and restaurants shut down and lots of rituals are observed.

A month before Lunar Festival, houses are thoroughly cleaned. On the eve of the Lunar festival, just after midnight, fireworks are let out very loud to scare the devil away. Some important rituals are observed. Family dinners with sweets and savoury food. Chinese Mauritians go to the temple and check in the book to see what is the most appropriate time to let out the fireworks for each household.

In Mauritius you can hear it all night as each house in the neighbourhood let their fireworks off. The next day all lights are switched on in the house, the mess from the fireworks is not swept as it is believed you will sweep your fortune away. Growing up I remember my friends reminding us of these beliefs.

Some of the food that needs to be on the table all have a significance. I have included only 3 below but there is a list.

• Fish for prosperity
• Noodles for long life
• Dumplings for wealth

There are other significant rituals and meanings with the lunar festival like the red envelopes and the lion and dragon dance. You can find more information on Google.

So today my Almond and Coconut balls will replace the rice balls and hopefully the sweetness brings sweetness into our lives and brings the family together. It is quick and easy to make.

INGREDIENTS

• Almond meal
• Desiccated coconut
• Cocoa powder
• Dry fruits – example Apricot, sultanas, cranberries ( I did not use fruits this time)
• Condensed milk which will serve as a glue. In my recipe, I used Tahini butter and nut butter instead of condensed milk. If you want to use nut butter, be prepared to use half a jar and mix it with the tahini butter.
• Coconut sugar

NOTES: be careful with desiccated coconut as some people have an allergy to it and it makes them cough.

Condensed milk is very sweet and not too healthy so use sparingly as it is used to stick the balls together but leaving them in the fridge for 15 minutes helps as well, so don’t use too much.

PREPARATION

Mix the same amount of Almond meal, Desiccated coconut in a bowl. For the cocoa powder, use as per your personal preference, and it changes the colour of the balls whilst giving them sweetness. If you want a darker colour, use the same amount of cocoa powder that you use for the almond meal. If you want a whitish colour, then less cocoa powder and more almond meal. There are no measurements involved, I just use a big serving spoon and I usually get 10-12 balls.

Mix all these ingredients together in a bowl, add condense milk sparingly, this is only to make everything sticking together so that you can roll it in your hands. With this dessert it is trying to get the right consistency. I only use around 4 tablespoons of condensed milk, but I had 12 balls.

Mix together then take small portions in your hands and make small round balls. By now they should be sticking together making your task easy.

Once you have finished and place everything on a plate, sprinkle some desiccated coconut on your balls and put them in the fridge for 15 minutes maximum. After 15 minutes take out and keep in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Best to consume as soon as possible.

With this recipe you can also add dried fruits example dry and chopped Apricots, cranberries, sultanas.

I hope this dessert bring some sweetness into your lives for the Lunar Festival.

This is also a quick dessert to do if your kids wants some healthy snack after school.