CHEF JEFF -- ONE BYTE AT A TIME: Nut and Fruit Chews

For a midday, low-calorie snack and a quick energy boost, try the following, which includes a mixture of almonds, raisins, rice puffs and melted semisweet chocolate.

Nut and Fruit Chews

2 cup blanched almonds roughly chopped

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon honey

½ cup roughly chopped dried apricots

¼ cup golden raisins

1 cup puffed rice

2 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted

In a food process fitted with a steel blade, add the almonds, vanilla and honey. Process the almonds until almost smooth, and then add the apricots. Continue processing until the almonds have become a paste.

Transfer the almond mixture to a work bowl, and stir in the raisins and rice puffs.

Spread the almond mixture onto half a piece of wax paper or parchment paper that is 12-inches by 18-inches. Drizzle the melted chocolate all over the almond mixture.

Using the edge of the paper roll the almonds in a cylindrical shape making sure it is tightly packed together. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 3 to 6 hours.

Slice the log into ½-inch pieces.

Yield: Approximately 40 pieces, about 30 calories each.

Grab more food tidbits at the Chef Jeff blog at GrandForksHerald.com.