Saturday, April 25, 2009

Chocolate Gogi Bites

This is a recipe I developed last Spring. I thought I posted it about it already, but apparently not! (preggo brain strikes again... well, that's my excuse!)

These started after I bought a bag of goji berries, only to discover that I wasn't too fond of eating them plain. They have a distinctive un-berry type of taste! I mean, they aren't tart like dried cranberries, or particularly fruity/sweet like dried blueberries. They have a unique goji berry flavor that is somewhat flat for a 'berry', and also takes a little getting used to. Maybe you tried and loved them at first bite (true?), but for me these are one of those acquired tastes. And, I am coming to appreciate them, they just weren't "love at first bite"!
Yet, goji berries are praised for their extremely high antioxidant content, and containing protein, as well as numerous vitamins and minerals. So, I decided to find a way to really enjoy these little powerhouses of nutrition... Yes! Chocolate! The obvious, scrumpdillylicious choice!
Plus, I justified it as so: antioxidants in chocolate + antioxidants in goji berries = super duper dose of antioxidants for Dreena! That formula works, right? (just ignore the sugar factor, or buy grain-sweetened chocolate and feel more virtuous)
So, the Chocolate Gogi Bites came to life, and I also included some macadamia nuts and crispies for good crunching measure. Sometimes it's really easy to get those antioxidants...

23 comments:

Alisa - Frugal Foodie said...

Oooh, that sounds like a much better way to enjoy gojis!

Anonymous said...

I love goji berries! This sounds so good =)

Anonymous said...

I've yet to try gogi berries but this sounds like a tasty introduction!

Janessa said...

Those look amazing!

Blossoming Lotus here in Portland sometimes sells a live fudge with goji berries that is pretty yummy too.

Sarah said...

i don't like plain gojis either, and those look great!

Hannah said...

I love gojis plain, but they look delicious with chocolate!

Would you be ever so kind as to post a recipe?

Laci said...

I found a goji berry-edamame "trail mix" at my local health food store- while it was a bit different than your typical dried fruit and nuts, I still enjoy it time to time! I'd go for chocolate covered anything- yo just gave me an idea, how about a "rice crispy treat" with goji berries, pistachios and natural dark chocolate drizzled on top- feel free to experiment too! :-)

joanna said...

these look delicious! i wasn't a fan of goji berries when i first tried them either. i went to whole foods, picked one out of the bulk bins, and spit it out. haha. i've come to like them when i mixed them with something, like in smoothies.

joanna said...

i forgot to say that chocolate covered goji berries are INSANELY awesome!!! you must get your hands on some.

Krunsdogs said...

These sound sooo good! I love gogi berries and chocolate. The two together is even better! And I would like to have this recipe as well, so I can make a them for the family.

Brooke said...

I agree, they're not as good to munch on plain as other dried berries. I love to melt dark chocolate and add the berries and almonds and freeze. yum! These bites look delish too.

Dreena said...

Laci, our minds are on the same track! These squares do include some rice crispies - as well as macadamia nuts... pistachios would be fab too - I think I'll have to post the recipe for you guys!

Joanna, I don't know if it's the same brand, but I did order some choc covered gogi berries from Vegan Essentials - and they are really delicious! Each covered berry seems to have a bit of crushed cocoa bean with it too... I've been enjoying them, but they are a touch pricey!

Brooke, that's like a chocolate-goji bark!! I did something similar a month or two back, but just using the goji berries - the addition of the almonds would make it much better. I like the idea of freezing it too - cold choc treat when the weather gets warmer. :)

The Voracious Vegan said...

Wow, this is so creative. I imagine the flavor combination would be just out of this world!

Bharti said...

Interesting! I haven't tried these powerhouses yet so I can't imagine what this dessert would taste like.I'd like to find out though!

x said...

Yummo! Looking fwd to the recipe!

Unknown said...

please can you do this as a raw recipe? That way the gojis won't lose their nutrition. thanks!

moi + toi PHOTOGRAPHIE said...

i kee seeing these gogi berries everywhere, i need to find some. lol

Laci said...

Dreena- Ahh, my old food processor just broke (Making your cheezy dip for the first time, I can't open it- completely stuck!!!) So I was thinking of getting the $190 Kitchen aid model you recommended- how long does yours last, how well does it work and would you still recommend it? Thanks! :-)

Teresa said...

I've been eating gojis for a while, so at this point I do enjoy them plain. But hot damn, the chocolate goji treat you created looks Ahmazing!

miss v said...

holy anti-oxidant goodness!

Dreena said...

Hi Laci, my KitchenAid model is fairly new - but I am happy with it, and would recommend it. I especially like the large bowl and the feeder tube is large as well (the processor won't work unless the cover to the feeder tube is in place - the large piece - as a safety precaution). Before my KitchenAid I had a Braun, and it lasted me for a long time as well, but I haven't had any experience with the newer models. Oh, the KitchenAid model I have also has a citrus juicer attachment. That has come in handy for when I want to juice a lot of lemons and then keep the juice in the fridge to use through the week for recipes (I use fresh lemon juice a lot - hummus recipes, salad dressings, 'raw' recipes, etc...) There's also a smaller insert bowl for smaller batches of dips, etc, but I rarely use that as I mostly make larger quantities... and, if I want to puree a small amount of something, then I use the mini-processor attachment to my immersion blender. Whoa, that's more info than you asked for I think!! Hope it helps you some in making a decision anyway. :)

Ilana said...

I didn't like the plain gojis I bought much, either, but last night as I was making a double chocolate chip cookie recipe i recalled this post and tossed a handful in - glad I did. Double chocolate mango ginger goji cookies were born...mhm.

Sarah R said...

I can't wait to see the recipe... it looks delicious! I hate plain gojis but I know they're good for you.