The whole idea of Anytime Bars is right in the name. You never know when hunger is going to hit, and you want to be ready to nourish yourself in those moments.
A lot of my clients (I’m the senior chef-in-residence and nutritional director at Commonwealth Cancer Help Program) take these portable packets of pleasure to chemo sessions. It may seem odd that people want to eat during chemo, but many do; these bars are a delicious, healthy alternative to the sweets so often found at treatment centers.
Even if you’re not battling cancer, these bars are beneficial. Oats help renew bones. Dates regulate cholesterol. Pecans boost the immune system. These bars come together very quickly with the food processor, but if you don’t have one, chop the fruit and nuts by hand.
Ingredients
1 cup raw pecan halves
1 cup whole raw almonds
2 tablespoons spelt flour
2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons flaxseed, finely ground
¼ teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
¼ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup pitted dates, quartered (preferably Medjool)
1 cup unsulfured dried apricots, cut in half
1 organic egg
5 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly oil a 9-inch square pan. Spread pecans in a single layer on baking sheet and toast for 7 to 10 minutes, until aromatic and slightly browned. Watch carefully, as they burn easily. Repeat this process for almonds. Turn oven down to 325°F.
2. Combine spelt flour, all-purpose flour, flaxseed, salt, baking powder and baking soda in a food processor and process for 5 seconds to combine. Add pecans and almonds; pulse 5 times to coarsely chop. Add oats, dates and apricots. Pulse 10 to 15 times, till mixture is well chopped but coarse.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together egg, maple syrup and vanilla till combined. Add fruit and nut mixture and use your hands to mix well, being sure to separate any clumps of fruit. Spread mixture in square baking pan in an even layer and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, till set and golden brown. Don’t overbake or bars will be too dry. Let cool on wire rack for 5 minutes, then cut into 25 squares. Leave bars in pan till completely cool so they’ll hold together when you remove them.
Nutritional Info
Calories: 120
Total Fat: 6.5g
Carbohydrates: 14g
Protein: 2g
Fiber: 2g
Sodium: 35mg
