I think I must have been around three years old when he moved next door. From what I have heard we pretty much became best friends as soon as we said hello. We stayed that way until distance was placed between us in our late teens. Although we seldom talk and it is always years between seeing each other, I often think how lovely it would be to sit beside him on the couch and chat about the day to day things, to have him make me feel that everything is ok. He is one of those exceptional friends who love you unconditionally, who only see your good points. Who sees beauty where you see flaws, who sees everything better then you can see it yourself.
He is also the worlds best chocolate chip cookie maker. I dare not imagine how many of those things he has consumed in his lifetime. He is also the man who introduced me to those delicious dark chocolate oranges you buy from the supermarket (or at least you could fifteen years ago). Consequently this recipe made me think of him, I don’t know that he would like it, but I think he should visit and try them out.
Jaffa Cookies
12 medjool dates, seeds removed
1/2 cup raw cashews
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/4 cup cacao or cocoa
1/2 teaspoon concentrated natural vanilla extract
zest of one – two oranges (I like two)
pinch of salt
Preheat your oven to 175 degrees Celsius or 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a cookie tray with baking paper.
Place the ingredients into your blender or food processor, blend until smooth and well combined.
Using damp hands shape the mixture into cookies. Thinner cookies will be more crunchy, thicker cookies will be chewy inside. We like ours somewhere in between.
Bake for 12 – 14 minutes.
Allow to cool. Eat and enjoy!