Orange Almond Biscotti Balls

This is one yummy variation of our favorite snack, which we call "Laraballs"; a mix of nuts, unsweetened dried fruits, and spices. This flavor is called ORANGE ALMOND BISCOTTI BALLS - super yummy and refreshing!

fruit + nuts = 2 check mark snack from Dr Greger's Daily Dozen

I originally starting making "Laraballs" when I tried to create Larabars at home. My recipe AND the product are both fabulous convenience items with only a handful of ingredients which are whole foods (again nuts, fruit, and spices), and no added sugar, oil, or dairy! Note: my balls also have no salt, while Larabars do :(

The Larabar website has coupons, and now the company even makes: Larabar Bites (a product just like my balls!)! On to the recipe!

Start with a little freshness!  Slice off the very thinnest layer of the orange peel.  Use about half to all of the orange peel.  This will make up your orange zest, but you can just toss the peels in with everything else in the food chopper / processor.

Orange Almond Biscotti Balls

1 orange peel (as shown above)

1/2 c almonds

3/4 c dates

Combine all ingredients until everything sort of sticks together.

Trash can trick: fold edges of a resealable sandwich bag over a mug.

Scoop everything into bag. Almost done!

Have fun shaping the dough however you like!  KIDS like this part best! The dough works pretty well with cookie cutters, balls are great, and you can make bars by pushing the mixture into a pan, chilling, and cutting.

Keep mixture refrigerated or at room temperature, or keep it in your car.

You can make them into balls from outside the bag - so you don't get "food hands".

I can't make balls fast enough, as soon as I make one, my kids want it, until half the bag is gone. If only they new how healthy they are! Actually, they do know, and still they love them!

Here are MANY MORE LARABAR FLAVORS to enjoy!

If you liked this recipe, "like" it or "share" it below! Many thanks!

Add a comment, to bring more life to the blog! WHAT DO YOU THINK? Do you have a favorite childhood memory? I'll always remember the Christmas Santa made us a house that looked like our actual house, with an address, front door, windows, drapes, and all...it's still at my mom's house today! My kids play with it down in her basement :)

Chicken Artichoke Casserole

You voted and here it is! It's flavorful, unique, and it "just happens to be healthy" -- Emeril L.

BEFORE baking (above) and AFTER (below)

It'a flavorful and delicious!

"Chicken" Artichoke Casserole

1 package "chicken" pieces (Beyond Chicken is great!)
2 c artichokes, marinated, include juice
3 large onions, chopped
29 oz can pimentos, drained (or 7 small (4-oz) jars, or a few small jars, plus some red bell peppers, chopped)
29 oz can water chestnuts, drained (3 8-oz cans)
8-10 pieces whole wheat bread, ripped or cut into pieces
2 tsp pepper
½ c ground flaxseed
½ c nutritional yeast
⅔ c vegan mayo (Vegenaise)

Chop "chicken", artichokes, and onions; I sometimes do this with a large food processor (just a few pulses). Combine everything in a large mixing container: pimentos, water chestnuts, bread, pepper, flaxseed, yeast, mayo, "chicken", artichokes, and onions. Transfer mixture into rectangular glass pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 30-40 min, or until browned on top and bubbling along the edges, remove, and enjoy!

I get large cans of pimentos and water chestnuts from www.amazon.com, definitely comparable with the grocery store, plus you don’t have to open as many cans and jars, and they come right to your door! Subscribe and Save offers an additional discount!

If you’re daring, or just that kind of cook, you can try to make pretty much any of my recipes with the ingredients, but no measuring. You might use the recipe a few times, then once you know the consistency you are looking for, and have ballpark quantities in mind, you can put away those measuring cups!

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WHAT DO YOU THINK? Tell me in a comment: Do you ever buy food for gifts? Do you like to get food for gifts? What foods?