Happy Birthday Bob, "Neat Balls" 2018!

Emily Cantrell, Jan 3, 2018.

Today is Bob’s birthday, and, as always, I checked the daily online crossword puzzle. Why? Because on one Jan 3rd the words “bob” and “bower” appeared in the puzzle!  In this morning’s puzzle, the closest connection to Bob was the 1 across and down intersection of “hemp” and “humus”. Though somewhat of a stretch, the words do make me think of Bob - hemp being, well, hemp, and humus (not the chickpea spread) having etymological references to earth, human being and man. But it’s also an alternate spelling of the Middle Eastern chickpea spread. Now I’m thinking, yes, Bob would have loved a recipe of hummus made from hemp seed.

I know this because of the “raw” days, a period of time that began around 1999 when Bob visited us in Boulder, Colorado. While we were all shopping at “Wild Oats”, a local heath food store, he came across a book about the raw food diet as a means to health and vitality. Bob was off and running (at one point literally running backward uphill as we hiked the Flatiron mountain) so excited was he about this new lifestyle. It truly was a lifestyle, for those embracing this way of eating became a kind of club with a few handfuls of members who ate only raw foods in hip towns like Boulder or Missoula. Bob and I shared an interest in raw foods and had many glorious moments discovering the new tastes and accoutrements of the lifestyle. Lots of smoothies, dehydrated (only at low temperatures) foods, and food items “ordered out” on line not yet available in the local health food stores - raw cacao, raw apple cider vinegar, etc.

I remember a favorite raw recipe of Bob’s called “neat balls”. This tasty treat is a sub for meat balls and the recipe features a sweet and sour sauce as well. Thing was, Bob couldn’t seem to keep up with a copy of the recipe. Every time he wanted to make it, he called me and wrote down the ingredients. Then when another event came up, Bob’s copy was nowhere to be found. Christmas, New Year’s, Super Bowl parties, and various other occasions called for the “neat balls” and another call to me for the recipe. We were always glad to get the calls.

We’re celebrating Bob’s birthday today and I believe this dish is in order. Hey Bob, in case you need it, here is the recipe - again. Bon appetit!

Neat Balls

1 c. walnuts
1 c. sunflower seeds - soaked
1 c. almonds - soaked
1 T. garlic, chopped
1 c. cilantro
1/4 c. olive oil
1 t. Celtic salt
1 T. nama shoyu
1 bunch green onions
2 T. ginger, grated
1 t. red pepper flakes
1 t. 5 spice powder

Sweet and Sour Sauce

2 large tomatoes
1 c. sun-dried tomatoes
1 clove garlic
1 inch ginger, grated
1/4 c. apple cider vinegar
1/2 c. dates
1 T. olive oil
1 t. Celtic salt

In food processor, process nuts til finely chopped. Add other ingredients til mixed well. Form balls and dehydrate for 2-3 hours.

Blend sauce ingredients together. Dip balls in sauce and dehydrate another 2-3 hours.