Monthly Meal Idea – Fig and Cranberry Balls
Ingredients:
500g pack/1lb dried whole figs, hard stalk and centre of base removed, roughly chopped
85g/3oz dried apricots (buy apricots which are free from sulphur dioxide, which keeps them a bright orange colour), chopped into small pieces
50g/2oz dried cranberries
100g/4oz whole almonds, toasted and finely chopped
1tbsp clear honey or real maple syrup (not maple ‘flavoured’ syrup)
1tsp ground cloves
100g/4oz sesame seeds, toasted
Put the almonds in a large bowl. Process the figs in a food processor until they are a smooth paste. Add to the almonds and then, using your hands, also mix in the dried cranberries, honey and cloves.
Roll the mixture into small balls, just to give you a mouthful. Put the sesame seeds onto a tray and roll the balls in them until covered. The balls can be eaten as they are or you can leave them on the tray to dry before eating.