I’ve always been a goal-driven person; and when I’d discovered the power of Microsoft Excel and its multiple functions, I began creating spreadsheets for almost everything that could be measured.
For a finance and economics grad, there is something weirdly comforting about about tracking progress through data tables, charts and graphs.
I’m a big fan of having my eye focused on a destination, and knowing how far I’ve traveled and how much is left to be covered makes me feel in control.
Yet this need to feel in control is at times overpowering.
I’ve realised that no matter how many spreadsheets and how many tabs I have open, or how much I’m focused on the current run-rate and the amount of work that is still required for a goal to be attained, there will always be things that I cannot control.
There will be situations in which the outcome does not depend on how much effort I’ve put in. There will be moments where the reality does not align with my expectations and hopes.
Have you ever felt like me?
Have there been situations in which you feel that every second and ounce of effort you spend should be compensated by something? And then have you felt the disappointment that followed when you realised that maybe sometimes not all of your effort will receive a payback?
That’s me.
I’ve learnt that instead of trying to be in control of everything; instead of doing things with the expectation of receiving payback; the best way to live is to go back to doing what I love the most.
Things that I’ll do despite not getting any recognition or reward or monetary compensation.
Simply speaking, I’m going to start spend more time doing the things that I love – things that naturally and intrinsically make me happy, even if the only satisfaction I’ll get is from the mere fact of doing it.
Things like writing my thoughts day after day; or creating new recipes every time I can; or taking photo after photo of a new dish that I’ve tested and experimented with.
Things like reaching out to others and making a connection; or impacting people positively; or simply being interested in the lives of those around me, instead of only looking inwards.
I’ve just made a promise to you and to myself – that I will spend more time and energy doing things that energize me and make me feel alive.
So today, let’s eat chocolate truffles.
Easy, rich truffles that are just the right-amount of sweetness.
Bite-sized pieces of rich ganache rolled in chopped pistachios and walnuts. A simple recipe for instant happiness and a delicious way to satisfy the after-dinner sweet tooth.
Now, tell me your thoughts, friends: Do you think it is important to spend more time doing the things you love to do, just because?
Easy Chocolate Truffles
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 30 truffles 1x
Description
Bite-sized pieces of rich ganache rolled in chopped pistachios and walnuts. A simple recipe for instant happiness and a delicious way to satisfy the after-dinner sweet tooth.
Ingredients
- 10.5 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate, roughly chopped into small pieces
- 6.5 ounces of heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons of butter, cut into small pieces
- 3 cups of chopped nuts of your choice (I used peanuts and pistachios)
Instructions
- Place the chopped chocolate in a medium-size heat-proof bowl, then set aside
- In a small pot, heat up the heavy whipping cream and the pieces of chopped butter over medium heat and then bring to a boil
- Pour the butter-cream mixture over the chocolate and then allow it to stand for a couple of minutes before stirring well until smooth (if the chocolate doesn’t melt completely, heat it in the microwave for 20 seconds and stir until smooth)
- Cover the bowl of chocolate mixture (ganache) with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator overnight (if not overnight, at least five hours)
- When chocolate mixture has finished chilling, place chopped nuts in a flat bowl, and remove truffle mixture from the refrigerator
- Using a small melon ball peeler or a teaspoon, form round, bite-sized balls of chocolate ganache
- Immediately roll the ganache balls in the chopped nuts and place on a parchment-paper lined plate
- Repeat until all ganache and nuts have been used up
- Cover the plate with plastic wrap and place chocolate truffles in the refrigerator until firm (at least a few hours)
- Bring truffles to room temperature before serving
Notes
Recipe adapted from Joy of Baking
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Grain-free, Gluten-free
little bundles of yumminess!
Thank you Sofia!! Glad you liked them and thanks for stopping by!
I do love chocolate truffles – especially when they are delicious and home-made like these ones. Yum!
Hey Thalia! I know what you mean, everything somehow seems to taste better homemade, right?
Morsels of yum. Love these!
Yay! Glad you love these truffles! 🙂
yum!!! I love how the pistachio looks with the chocolate. Great recipe girl!
Hey Ana! Thanks for stopping by! I know!! I love love love the combination of nuts and chocolate and the bright color of pistachios makes it very pretty!
Hi Felicia,
This is interestingly a wonderful treat – I just cannot wait for the long refrigerating time before I can enjoy it in my mouth. By the way, what would you recommend – dark chocolate or normal milk chocolate?
I totally agree with you on doing what you love to do is the best way to go. Yes, sometimes the immediate reward (monetary or in kind) may not be apparent, but I believe the joy and the fulfillment you feel in so doing is invaluable and this lasts a long, long time in motivating and encouraging you to move forward beyond your expectation.. 🙂
Cheers!
Mum
★★★★★
Hey mummy!
Dark chocolate will be better since it usually has less sugar content (get a good quality dark chocolate since it is the most important ingredient). And if you have a melon ball scoop it will be much easier for you to scoop the chocolate ganache into balls because if not with the heat in Singapore it will melt within the palms of your hands.
Thank you for your continuous support mummy – this really gives me the encouragement to move forward and do what I love most. LOVE YOU!!!