Happy Easter Goodie Eggs


Happy Easter Everyone!

We're planning to spend Easter Sunday at Grammy and Grandpa's house... complete with egg hunt and roast lunch and one of our friend Bill's amazing home-brews...


We've done our best these 2 1/2 years to keep Nelle from becoming a sugar addict... and Grammy has been an angel in sticking to the 'rules' (contrary to every one of her grandmotherly tendencies). This year she's even doing hand-painted boiled eggs for the egg hunt!


So in the spirit of Easter I was inspired to make a special treat for Nelle that still doesn't involve chocolate. Basically these are Goodie Balls rolled into a vaguely egg-like shape.... Have fun, you'll get your hands messy!

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Happy Easter Goodie Eggs

1/2 c pitted dates*
2 dried figs*
peeled rind of 1/2 orange
1/3 c water
1/2 c shredded unsweetened coconut
1/2 c oats
1/2 almonds (or whatever you have on hand; a mix of nuts and seeds is fine)

*If you don't have these, try prunes or dried apricots
**try to get organic ingredients when you can

1. Put the dried fruit, orange peel and water into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and then cover and simmer until the fruit is mushy and has soaked up most of the water. I've used orange rind because I like the idea of using a part of the fruit that doesn't normally get used, but you can substitute orange juice for the water if you prefer.




2. Meanwhile, toast the coconut over a medium heat until it's golden. Put it into a large mixing bowl.



3. Scrape out the pan and toast the nuts over med heat until golden. Grind into a powder in your blender or coffee grinder. Add to the mixing bowl.



4. Grind the oats into a fine powder too, and add to the bowl.



5. If your fruit is ready, carefully remove the rind (it's done its job now) and blend the mushy fruit in a blender or food processor. If it gets too sticky add a Tbs of orange juice or water. Add to the mixing bowl.




6. Now it's time to get your hands dirty! Making sure you aren't going to burn yourself on hot fruit, start mushing all the ingredients together. Squeeze the moist bits in with the dry bits. (Great job for Little Helpers!) When it's done you should be able to shape the mush into balls or eggs or whatever you like. Keep them in the fridge and they'll last quite awhile (unless of course they get eaten!)

7. You could try wrapping little Goodie Eggs in foil so they look alarmingly like chocolates.... I may even save some of those pretty colored foils from any chocolates I may happen upon this year....

NOTE: There is a reason why these are often sold with the coconut or some finely chopped nuts on the outside ... they may be considered unattractive to some! So if you have trouble convincing your Little or friends to try them, just roll the ball/egg/whatever in some toasted coconut or crushed toasted nuts before serving. 

Amanda xx

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