Go nuts

Add a little protein (and variety) to your diet with Almond-Honey Clusters. The cookie recipe from the Almond Board of California is simple, quick and healthy. To make, preheat oven to 250 degrees. Place 11/2 cups of roasted, whole natural almonds in a blender or food processor and process until ground. Line a baking sheet with greased foil and stir together ground almonds, 11/4 cups whole almonds, and 1/2 cup honey in a medium bowl, mixing well. With clean, wet hands, form the mass into a sticky ball and divide in half. Keep dividing each ball in half until there are 32 small clusters. Lay each cluster on baking sheet and bake 30 minutes. Let cool completely before removing from foil; cookies will still be soft and chewy. Serve or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Bake it up

Ladies and gentlemen, start your ovens. It’s time once again for the Pillsbury Bake-Off, with its million-dollar prize and a chance to compete in Hollywood. This year, categories include Dinner Made Easy, Weekends Made Special, Fast Snacks and Appetizers, and Breakfast Favorites. For entry tips and previous winning recipes (including the pictured Spicy Asian Lettuce Wraps), you can pick up a copy of Real People, Everyday Recipes at your local supermarket or discount store. For a complete set of rules and qualifying ingredients, visit www.pillsbury.com/bakeoff or send your name and address to: Pillsbury Bake-Off Entry Form Request, P.O. Box 7200, Melville, NY 11775-7200 by Feb. 29. Entry deadline is March 10.

Love is in the mail

Want to send a sweet message to your Valentine? Pick up one of the new love stamps adorned with candy hearts. To celebrate, NECCO, makers of Sweethearts conversation hearts, will manufacture a special run of candy hearts featuring the same message as the stamp, to be included in boxes with classic phrases such as “Marry Me,” “Be Mine” and “Cutie Pie.”

Tidbits is hungry for news about local food products and events. Send your Tidbits by mail to: Bangor Daily News, attn: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor ME 04402-1329; by fax to 941-9476; or by e-mail to kandresen@bangordailynews.net.