0 Cashew Cookie Laraballs

Larabars are awesome!  Cashew Cookie was one of the original flavors!  It's also one of the first Laraball flavors I tried to recreate (Check out all the yummy flavors!).  Now you can too!

Buying Larabars is great for CONVENIENCE:
Ready INSTANTLY, if you don't 5 MINUTES to make up a batch!
AND the sealed up in a wrapper, ready-to-go-ness, never go bad-ness it offers!
Not that we have ever had a Laraball hang around long enough to have a chance to "go bad".

Cashew Cookie Laraballs

1 c roasted cashews

1 c dates

optional: dash of salt

Combine nuts and dates in a food processor* until mixture is moldable into balls (this batch makes twice as many balls as other Laraball recipes, ~3 dozen), OR you can shape them with cookie cutters like these cute hearts that my daughter made on her own!, OR you could make sandwiches with apples!

*If you only have a mini, use 1/2 c of cashews and dates each to make ~16 balls.

Apple sandwiches with these Cashew Cookie Laraballs taste like caramel covered apples!

(Apple Brownie Sandwiches are also pretty fabulous!)

 

 COMMENTS: What do you pack for "treats" in your lunch, or your kids' lunches?

Detail: Cashew Cookie Laraballs

0 New Laraball Flavor: Lemon Bars! AND Costco Dates are BACK!!

Costco dates have returned!!!

I have been missing these for months!  Check it out: I (my hubby actually came home with them for me!) bought a whole case!  These are pitted, moist, and CHEAP!!!

Golden Tunisan Deglet Noor Dates from Costco!

Dates are high in potassium and fiber and dates are super-sweet, 
and these have no preservatives!

Healthy Lemon Bars

3/4 c dates, pitted, above brand is awesome!
3/4 c cashews, roasted and unsalted
1/8 t salt, to taste
zest of one lemon, cut the thin sliver of only the yellow of the lemon peel
(see Orange Almond Biscotti post for photo)
water, just a splash, if it's too dry

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend!

Shape into balls or smash into a pan for squares, and enjoy!

Detail: New Laraball Flavor: Lemon Bars! AND Costco Dates are BACK!!

0 Tasty Tofu?! YES! Hubby-Approved!!

One of the first meals I started regularly making when I really began cooking about a decade ago. I am not sure what even made me think to try tofu! ...though a discussion of SOY is coming SOON!

My hubby who doesn't like tofu ... thinks this is delicious!!!

Rich and Tasty Tofu Stir Fry


1 c white wine
3 T soy sauce (or to taste)
1 T garlic, minced 
½ t ginger
Cayenne pepper (to taste)
1 lb package tofu, EXTRA-FIRM
2 T sesame oil
1 onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
2 c broccoli, chopped
16 oz bag spinach
1 c cashews CLICK HERE to find out about why nuts are wonderful!
2.5 c uncooked brown rice (prepare)

Dry tofu with paper towels and carefully squeeze to drain as much water as possible.  Chop tofu in ½-inch cubes.  Heat skillet or wok.  Bring wine, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and pepper to boil.  Add tofu, cover, and simmer about 15-20 minutes, until tofu well-soaked with sauce; stir occasionally.  I don't usually get it to crisp, but if you do, I bet that would be tasty! Remove tofu and remaining broth from skillet.  Heat oil in skillet and cook vegetables over medium-high heat, about 5 minutes, until crisp-tender.  Add tofu, remaining broth, and cashews.  Heat together.  Serve over brown rice.



You could probably use any type of veggies for this -- the sauce flavors are so tasty -- they make anything really yummy -- like tofu!!

BONUS HINT about tofu: Firm is for savory dishes, and silken is for smoothies and desserts!

Reversing can be disastrous! Ask my brother, ...once, around the time I started making this recipe, I tried making a smoothie with the firm -- no matter how many pieces or varieties of fruit I added, I could not get rid of the unpleasant taste! I think he avoided trying new foods for a long time after that experience!

As for stir-fry, you simply need the firmness to hold shape!

Read 5 BIG Reasons to Make Your Meat Portions Small!

Coming soon: Benefits of Soy; Soy and Cancer, and Milk Comparisons!

COMMENTS: How do you like your soy? How are you spending Mother's Day?

Detail: Tasty Tofu?! YES! Hubby-Approved!!