Luka and I went to Weekend Vacation Bible School at the church tonight. It takes place Friday evening and Saturday and Sunday mornings. They had a really nice program with lots of activities, as if we were living in Bethlehem. Luka sang songs, played games, made a candle, sampled food from Bibliccal times, helped make candy, made a pottery bowl, and other fun stuff. He is in the Judah tribe.
For the candy, the kids hand-ground (with a table-attached, old-fashioned grinder) dates and walnuts together--like they may have done in Biblical times. Luka had a good time doing that. Then, the adult in charge of that station completed the "candy" balls that Biblical people may have eaten. It was from this recipe below and it was yum!
Coconut Date Nut Balls
[updated 12/19/2008]
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs (or more to taste - to make mixture a little less sticky)
1-1/2 cups pitted, dried dates
1/2 cup flaked coconut, toasted and cooled (I used unsweetened, and did not toast it and it was
good) and more for rolling
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped fine (I used 1 cup)
dash of orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
First, in a food processor, mix graham cracker crumbs, dates, coconut, the honey and just a dash of organge juice, until just combined. Add the nuts and blend till mixture forms a ball. Remove from working bowl.
Second, roll out mixture into small balls, roll balls in remaining coconut to coat. Store in an air tight container. Makes approximately 32 balls.
Note that this recipe is forgiving with the proportions; you can fudge the portions a bit to emphasize what you like best.
