Carob Balls Aka Confection Food

CAROB BALLS

Steps:

• Crush sunflower and sesame seeds (or not if you want crunchier balls).
• Mix all the ingredients except coconut.
• Shape into bite-sized balls.
• Roll the balls in the coconut.
• Refrigerate (so that they get a little harder).

CAROB BALLS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine the peanut butter and sweetener. Stir over med-low heat until melty.
• Remove from heat.
• GRADUALLY add the carob powder and stir it in- ditto the sesame seeds.
• It's easier to roll into balls once the mixture has cooled a little, so if you can, let it sit 5-10 minutes or even refrigerate.
• Scoop up a chunk with a spoon and roll it into a walnut-sized ball (1 inch) in your fingers. Put it in a small bowl with the coconut and shake the bowl around till the carob ball is coated.
• Store the balls in the fridge. They freeze great, but you'll have to let them thaw or they'll break your teeth!

BENTO BALLS (AKA FRENCH HAMBURGERS)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a baking sheet by lining with parchment or foil.
• Lightly coat the parchment or foil with cooking spray.
• Mix the bread crumbs, havarti, horseradish, dried onion, salt (or spice-salt mix), cottage cheese, and egg together in a large bowl. (Please note that the horseradish should be prepared, i.e., the creamy kind that is mixed with mayonnaise. We use the Beaver brand.).
• Allow to stand for 5 minutes to soften the bread crumbs.
• Mix in the ground turkey.
• The meat mixture will be very soft.
• Form the meat into balls that will fit into your bento box(or on your plate).
• Flatten slightly so that the meat is formed into shapes resembling patties.
• Place in the oven to bake for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the basting sauce by combining the melted butter, ketchup, and soy sauce.
• Carefully turn the patties over and put them back in the oven until 20 minutes before the meat is cooked through.
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• The time to finish cooking will depend on how large you made your patties.
• I use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
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• Approximately 20 minutes before the meat cooks through, baste one side of the meat with the sauce, returning to the oven for 10 minutes.
• Turn and baste the other side and return to the oven for the remaining 10 minutes.
• Let cool, add to your bento box, and have a great day hiking.

CAROB ORANGE BALLS

Steps:

• Place pecans, walnuts, and dates in food processor and process until the mixture is ground fine.
• Add honey, salt, vanilla, and orange zest to the nut and date mixture, and process until finely chopped.
• Oil hands and roll mixture into quarter size balls.
• Place carob powder on a plate and roll the balls in powder 2 times.

CAROB "BALLS" / AKA CONFECTION

Steps:

• In a food processor, fine chop the almonds.
• Add the carob, pine nuts and coconut and process until mixed.
• Mix the honey and water together and add gradually to the almond mixture while the processor is running.
• Keep the processor running until a dough is formed.
• Roll into balls and then coat with the carob or coconut or ground almonds.
• Refrigerate until needed.