Three simple ingredients can make a delicious and nutritious treat. I was imagining a homemade version of the Lara bar and I came up with the following recipe. This is appropriate for people who are in the middle stages of SCD or GAPS, as nut butters (and dates) are somewhat advanced foods. Add a little honey, refrigerate and there it is! Wow! These are great for kids and adults as a snack and a great pick me up.
The bars are made with organic almonds that have been soaked and blanched. Medjool dates that have been pitted and soaked for 30 minutes deepens the rich, nutty texture and flavor.
Almonds, as with any nut, should be soaked and/or sprouted in a salty brine for at least 8 hours and then dehydrated. This neutralizes the enzyme inhibitors in the nut that naturally prevents it from sprouting. However, these enzyme inhibitors make nuts difficult to digest. It is especially important for people on SCD/GAPS to eat food that does not burden the digestive tract, therefore, it is vital that all nuts be soaked and/or sprouted before consumption.
Additionally, almonds should be blanched (skinned) for people on SCD/GAP as well.
Dates are the fruit of the date palm and originated in the desserts of northern Africa and southwest Asia. Medjool dates are larger, dark, moist dates that provide fiber, potassium, and magnesium, nutrients so important for the heart. Other nutrients include, calcium, sulfur, iron, phosphorous, manganese, and copper. These minerals help regulate blood pressure and the proper rhythm of the heart. The fiber helps to neutralize the sugar component of the date.
Dates can supply a large amount of nutrients in one’s daily diet and are great as a quick energy snack due to easy digestibility. Dates can make a rejuvenative drink when soaked in water. Regular consumption of dates helps balance the intestinal flora and relieve constipation.
Medjool dates are legal on SCD/GAPS and they have been found to be well tolerated by most people. In contrast date sugar which has been removed from the date and processed is not legal.
Almond Date Power Bar
Ingredients
Two cups almond butter — made from 4 cups raw almonds that have been soaked and blanched (where to get soaked almonds)
One cup pureed dates (about 10 pitted dates)
Cinnamon
Three tablespoons raw honey (where to get raw honey)
One teaspoon coconut oil (optional) (where to get coconut oil)
Instructions
- Soak the dates in filtered water for about 30 minutes before using
- Puree pitted dates in a mini processor until there are just tiny pieces
- In a food processor, process the almonds until it becomes a smooth nut butter
- If the nuts seem dry and hard to process, add one teaspoon coconut oil
- Add the honey
- Shake in some cinnamon
- process until it is smooth and well mixed
- Smooth it out in one, 9 x 13 dish — you want it to be about 1/2 inch thick
- refrigerate until hard
- Cut into rectangle portions and wrap individually in wax paper
- pack in snack ziplock bags
Variations:
- Omit the dates and increase the honey
- Add unsweetened shredded coconut as a garnish on top or directly into the batter
- Use different nut butters such as pecan nut butter
This post is linked to: My Meatless Monday, Melt in your Mouth Monday, Sugar-Free Sunday, Seasonal Sunday, Monday Mania, Mangia Monday, Meatless Monday, Homemaker Monday, Mouthwatering Monday, Weekend Carnival, Tuesday at the Table, Delectable Tuesday, Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, Made From Scratch Tuesday, Traditional Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, Tuesday Tasty Tidbits, Tasty Tuesday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, What’s on the Menu, What’s Cooking Wednesday, Real Food Wednesday, Healthy 2Day Wednesday, Gluten-Free Wednesday, Made It On Monday, Cast Party Wednesday, These Chicks Cooked, Foodie Wednesday, Full Plate Thursday, Creative Juice Thursday, Turning the Table Thursday, Pennywise Platter, Frugal Follies, Simple Lives Thursday, Real Food Weekly, Food Trip Friday, Friday Favorites, Foodie Friday, Fresh Food Friday, Fight back Friday, Fresh Bites Friday, Fat Camp Friday, Friday Food, Foodie Friday
