Paloma turned two on Friday, and we can hardly believe how fast time flies. Last year, for her first birthday, we had a big party with lots of guests and even more food. I believe we started cooking a whole week before the date in order to get everything prepared!
This time was very different. We just returned from Chicago (will write about that soon) and simply had no time for putting together a party. We wanted to keep it low key and family only, but a few close friends promised to come over and celebrate anyway, even if we had nothing to feed them.
Being food obsessed as we are, we couldn’t let them leave hungry, so we came up with a few sweet dishes that take little time in preparing, and threw them together as fast as we could. First, we served our favourite Baby Spinach and Strawberry Salad, which is always a winner. A box of ripe mangos was waiting for us when we returned home from traveling, so the wonderful Mango Chili and Coconut sorbet was created. We mixed a separate serving for Paloma, without chili, but after she reached into my plate and tried the spiced sorbet, it was clear that no kids’ version was necessary. She loved the spice! The chocolate truffles are another crowd pleaser. People always enjoy them and can never believe that they contain no cream or butter, as rich as they are.
Paloma was in heaven with all the attention and presents. Perhaps her favourite one was a set of animal nesting dolls that we got at the beautiful P.O.S.H. in Chicago. She played with them all day before the guests arrived.
Lastly, I wanted to share some very exciting news. We were invited by the awesome creative director at G Living to be among their contributing Green Chefs. We’ve always loved the site and were very happy with the invitation. See our introductory post here, and the Fig and Hazelnut Pizza post here.
Mango Chili and Coconut Sorbet
5 mangos – peeled and pitted
1 cup unsweetened dry coconut flakes
juice of 1 1/2 limes
1 1/2 cups purified water
6-8 tablespoons raw agave nectar
3 or less teaspoons chili powder
dash of cayenne pepper
In a high speed blender, combine all the ingredients. Chill well and put into an ice cream maker for 25 minutes or however long your brand of ice cream machine suggests. Freeze for at least 2 hours before serving.
Chocolate Truffles
(Makes 28 small truffles)
15 dates – pitted
1 cup almonds
1 cup unsweetened dry coconut flakes
2/3 cup walnuts
2/3 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoons raw cacao powder
2 tablespoons carob powder
1 tablespoon maca powder
1 tablespoon mesquite powder
2 teaspoons coconut oil
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
For dusting
ground pistachios
ground almonds
small coconut flakes
cacao powder
In a food processor, thoroughly mix all the ingredients until moldable. Form the truffles. Roll into ground pistachios, ground almonds, small coconut flakes, and raw cacao – many possibilities here. Keep refrigerated.
Ernko says
Congrats on being invited to contribute to G Living – awesome site. Paloma’s birthday dishes look much more enticing than the typical store bought cake with its sugar coated frosting that is terrible for your teeth and upsets your baby’s tummy. I’m sure she appreciates it as well. Happy #2 Paloma!
Pam says
How yummy and sweet! Happy Birthday Paloma….so cute! Enjoy!
alina villanova says
Happy Birthday, Paloma!
Julia says
What a lucky little girl you have! Such beautiful treats and matryoshkas.
Flo Makanai says
A lucky 2 years old and a very talented Mom-cook, bravo :-)
Golubka says
Ernko: No upset tummies here. Thank you :)
Pam: Thank you!
Alina: Thank you and she sends her thanks :)
Julia: We really chose well with the matryoshkas, she wouldn’t put them down :)
Flo: Lucky mom too :) Thanks so much!
Zhenya says
It was great!!!!!!!! I made some truffles today, I can not stop eating them!!!
Torviewtoronto says
Congrats on top 9
lovely pictures and colourful truffles
Adelina says
Happy Birthday to Paloma! These are beautiful!
Jun Belen says
Happy Birthday, Paloma!!! Lovely post and lovely blog you have! Looking forward to more!!
Anonymous says
Those are beautiful! Happy birthday to your sweet Paloma (I love that name!)
A Little Yumminess says
This is a birthday party I would want to be at!!! :)
Golubka says
Zhenya: How great!
Torviewtoronto: Thank you!
Adelina: Thanks so much!
Jun: Thank you :)
Anonymous: Thanks! We like it too, she’s our little dove :)
A Little Yumminnes: Wonderful! Thank you :)
Vaishali Sharma says
These looks great! Definitely a wonderful birthday treat for the lil one.
Congrats on being Top 9
Golubka says
Vaishali Sharma: Thank you!
Anonymous says
Paloma must be the best fed girl in the United States,she looks so delicious but then again so does her Mom and sister’s pix and recipes. I enjoyed Chicago since I have never been there.
Thanks so much for the truffles and all of the parfaits.
Lisa
kiki says
the recipe looks delicious but here we don’t have:
carob powder, maca powder or mesquite powder:( if i use only cocoa will they taste worse?
Golubka says
Lisa: Thanks very much! Paloma sends her kisses :)
Kiki: You can use cacao only, no problem. The only thing is that you’ll have to adjust the sweetness, as mesquite and carob are much sweeter than cacao. Also, the carob powder that we get is imported from Italy.
Sarah Chow says
Hello,
How well do the chocolate truffles keep? Anything I should know if I intend to make them as a gift for someone?
Golubka says
Hello Sarah,
The truffles are never around long enough in our house to go bad. Just keep them refrigerated, preferably in an airtight container, and they should be fine.
Sheva says
How lucky she is!!! Now I am thinking to invite myself on her next B’day party… ;)
Lowest Unique Bid says
This is totally irresistible!!
Penny Auction says
A beautiful way to filling up the party.
claire says
your recipes and blog are so beautiful! I am so inspired!! quick question- do you soak the almonds first or can they be dry?
Golubka says
Sheva: You’re invited :)
Claire: thank you so much! For this recipe, you’re not required to soak the almonds. However, soaking them makes them easier to digest and overall better for you. I often soak and dehydrate my nuts, and keep them refrigerated until needed.
marla {Family Fresh Cooking} says
Beautiful truffles! Linking back to them in my post today :)
Debbie says
I’d love to make these truffles for my son’s birthday but he has a nut allergy. Is there something I can substitute for the nuts in this recipe?
Anonymous says
You have inspired me to cook again! I haven’t been cooking much since my son was born as I’ve been busy but I’m excited to try some of your recipes! Thanks so much! Erica
Needful Things says
Drooling at the thought of that sorbet … wish it were still mango season!
Billig Blogger Brillig'n'bash says
That green dusting is so sexy. Thanks for all the lovely foods and inspiration