A delicious snack made with three food gifts we received last Christmas.

Home-canned Oregon pears, topped with 10 year old Tillamook cheddar, and a drizzle of Tangerine Fig Balsamic vinegar.

After making fresh almond butter, my Vita-Mix was a little more difficult to clean than usual because right down under the blade was a few tablespoons of unreachable almond butter. Luckily, it was also time for dessert, so I added 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, a sprinkle of cinnamon, 1/4 cup maple syrup, and 2 cups plain rice milk. I blended up the best.drink.ever.

Here is the almond butter I made in my Vita-Mix. It is really easy and takes just a few minutes. I used unsalted dry roasted almonds, and this works out to cost a lot less than pre-made almond butter in the store. I am really loving my Vita-Mix!

There is no recipe to post here because Vita-Mix provides specific instructions on making nut-butters. If you have a Vita-Mix, you have that info. Go make some nut butter!

As with all of my Vita-Mix smoothies, throw all of the ingredients in, turn to speed 10, then high, then enjoy.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups plain rice milk
• 2 oz unsweetened chocolate
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup shelled walnuts

These are so juicy, they come with a bib! You really can’t imagine that so much juice actually fits in a fruit.

I look forward to receiving HoneyBells each year as a gift from my mom, and this year I used them in the Vita-Mix. I can’t wait until next year.