INGREDIENTS:
12 dried figs (Sainsburys, Asda and other shops have them)
1 blood orange (or a normal orange), zest and juice
1 tbsp vanilla extract (or seeds from ½ vanilla pod)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
A pinch of chilli powder (more or less, to taste)
A pinch of ground cardamom seeds (optional)
A handful of toasted walnuts or almonds
Method
1. Finely chop your figs. Remove the woody tip on the stem.
2. Mix the figs with the orange zest, 2 tbsp of the juice, the vanilla and all the other spices. Let the figs soak up the juice and spice for at least 30 mins or overnight.
3. Pop the mix into a food processor or blender and whizz with the nuts till it all comes together. If you don’t have any whizzy machines, just finely chop and mash the mix with a knife on a chopping board.
4. Roll the doughy mix into a log shape. Cut into 12. Roll each into a little truffle-like ball. Dust with extra spice, if you like.
DO NOT EAT ALL AT ONCE, one or two should be more than enough #1 for a sweet snack. Gluten-free too.