Healthy Asian Snacks

Ingredients:

1/2 cup chopped fresh mango
1 cup dried or candied fruit (such as raisins, pineapple or cherries)
1-1/2 cup cooked warm sweet (sticky) rice
1/2 cup almond butter
1/4 cup maple syrup

Preparation:

Line a bowl with plastic wrap. Layer the mango on the bottom, then add the dried fruit. Layer most of rice next, saving some for the last layer).

Spread on almond butter and drizzle with maple syrup. Cover with remaining rice. Press down on mixture with a plate to compress.

Flip over onto a serving plate so that the mangoes are on top. Eat with chopsticks.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup, plus 2 Tbs. reduced-fat butter (or low-fat margarine)
1/4 cup creamy almond butter
½ cup, plus 2 Tbs. sugar
1 egg
1 Tbs. pure vanilla
3 bags green tea leaves
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda or baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
whole unsalted, raw almonds for optional garnish

Preparation:

Melt butter and sugar in microwave in a large bowl. Stir in egg, vanilla, and dried green tea leaves. Add flour, soda or powder and salt and mix well.

Drop about a tablespoon of batter onto a greased baking sheet. Press a whole almond into the center of the mound and bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 14 minutes.