Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a mixer, beat lard and butter to light ribbons, about 4 minutes. Add eggs and orange zest and blend well, about 1 minute. Add flour and almonds and just mix through, 1 to 2 minutes. Place on floured work surface and roll to 1-inch thick. Using a round pastry cutter, cut cookies 2 1/2 inches in diameter. Grease a baking sheet and place cookies on sheet. Place in oven and bake until light golden brown, about 20 to 22 minutes. Remove and cool on rack. Meanwhile, peel and stem figs and place flesh in small sauce pan with orange juice and sugar. Reduce by 50 percent over medium heat, about 6 to 7 minutes. Blend until smooth with submersion blender, adding more juice if necessary to achieve molasses-like texture. Brush cookies with reduced orange juice mixture, sprinkle with zest, dust with powdered sugar and serve. This recipe yields 4 servings. Recipe Source: MEDITERRANEAN MARIO with Mario Batali From the TV FOOD NETWORK - (Show # ME-1B11 broadcast 06-08-1998) Downloaded from their Web-Site - http://www.foodtv.com Formatted for MasterCook by Joe Comiskey, aka MR MAD - jpmd44a@prodigy.com ~or- MAD-SQUAD@prodigy.net 06-09-1998 Recipe by: Mario Batali