Dance the Night Away Energy Bars
- 2/3 cup dried tart cherries
- 1/3 cup dried apricots
- 1/4 cup pitted whole dates (about 5)
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 2 teaspoons flaxseeds, optional
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds, optional
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Reconstitute any of the fruit that is not moist and tender by placing it in a bowl and covering it with warm water.
- Depending on how dry it is, this could take up to 15 minutes.
- Drain off the excess water and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Put the almonds in a food processor and process until small pieces form but before it becomes a paste.
- Pulse as needed.
- Add the fruit, salt and flaxseeds, if using.
- Process to combine.
- The mixture should pull away from the sides.
- If it doesnt, add 1 tablespoon water and process until it does, adding another tablespoon of water if needed.
- Shape the fruit mixture into a log.
- Put the sesame seeds in a bowl, if using, and roll the log in the seeds to coat the outside.
- Line a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap.
- Lightly spray it with cooking spray.
- Lightly spray a second piece of plastic wrap.
- (You will use it to help press the mixture flat without getting your hands sticky.)
- Put the fruit mixture in the prepared pan, top with the second piece of sprayed plastic wrap and press down to flatten and spread evenly in the pan.
- Refrigerate, covered with plastic wrap, until firm, about 1 hour.
- Lift the mixture from the pan using the plastic wrap.
- Place on a cutting board and cut into 8 even pieces.
- Wrap each bar in plastic wrap, parchment or waxed paper.
- The bars will keep for 2 to 3 days at room temperature, 2 weeks in the refrigerator and 2 months in the freezer.
cherries, apricots, dates, almonds, salt, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, nonstick cooking spray
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/damaris-phillips/dance-the-night-away-energy-bars.html (may not work)