Valentine's Day Coconut Milk Truffles

Happy Valentine's Day

2 months, 15 days

I have been working on this post since last week but haven't had the time to finally put it up, so here it is a week late!

Last year we spent our first Valentine's Day dinner together... in the past we have been separated by TDYs (temporary duty assignments) or deployments. We were pretty excited about doing something however, forces outside of our control turned our dinner into something very memorable and very strange. Definitely something that you would see in the Twilight Zone.

This year my husband and I wanted to do something different than the usual heavy pasta Valentine's Day dinner.  We realized with the addition of Emerson, that going out was not an option nor did it sound appealing for many reasons! We stayed in and had a wonderful dinner of tenderloin steaks, balsamic brussel sprouts, mashed cauliflower, and coconut milk truffles. Our grand total for the evening was $13.38 (we do have the added benefit of shopping at our commissary)! That alone was well worth our evening at home. Plus, Emmy gave us a special gift of taking a 10 min cat nap, allowing us to eat by ourselves.

Our highlight of the evening was definitely the truffles. They are deceptively easy to make and look great as an added bonus. WARNING, they are super dark... so  for the milk chocolate lovers out there, these probably aren't for you.

Coconut Milk Truffles

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of full fat coconut milk
• 10 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped 
• Various raw nuts, chopped 
• 1 heaping tsp of cocoa powder
• 1 packet of Starbucks Via

Directions

1. Heat coconut milk in a small saucepan on the stove until bubbles start to form around the edges and the milk is thoroughly heated.
2. Pour hot coconut milk over chopped chocolate in a heat safe bowl.
3. Stir until combined and the mixture has taken on a shine.
4. Place mixture in the fridge to chill for 1-2 hours.
5. Meanwhile preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
6. Place chopped nuts of choice on baking sheet and bake in oven for 5-7 minutes or until toasted and fragrant.
7. In a small bowl combine the Starbucks Via and cocoa powder, stir to combine.
8. After 1-2 hours has elapsed, take out the chocolate mixture.
9. Using a 1/2 tablespoon, scoop out balls of chocolate mixture and roll in the palm of your hand until rounded.
10. Take rounded ball of chocolate and roll it in toasted nuts or cocoa powder/via mixture or both.
11. Eat immediately or chill for later.

Makes about 15 truffles

 Hint: you can use cocoa powder to "flour" your hands to help keep chocolate under control.