I’m eating one of these Spicy Power Bars as I type this. I’m slightly obsessed with them. Because they remind me of my past.
About 20 years ago, when I was living in New York City and had just hooked up with my adorable husband, I became very interested in Ayurveda. One of the amazing practitioners that I learned from, Pratima Raichur, had created her own version of a healing tonic, referred to in Ayurvedic circles as chyawanprash. Her product was called Bindi Chywangrans and it was delicious. My friends used to ask me what it was and I would tell them it was a special, healing, energy supplement. They teased me a lot about it!
Fast forward to the present. About a month ago, I found some interesting looking energy bars in downtown Boulder. I bought one and ate it. It kept reminding me of a taste from my past, though I could not quite put my finger on it. Finally, I realized that this bar tasted like Bindi!
Being the tinkerer that I am, I decided I would recreate the Nude Nutritionals Food Bars to taste even more Chwanpransh-like and my bindi bars were born thanks to Pratima (owner of Tej Clinic) and Nude Nutritionals (creator of the fabulous little grab and go bar).
Here’s my recipe for a super nourishing, delicious, tri-doshic power bar.
Spicy Power Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup almonds
- 1 cup macadamia nuts
- 1 cup dates (remove pits)
- 1 cup dried cherries
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
Instructions
- Place nuts, dates and cherries in a food processor, pulse until well ground
- Pulse in vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and salt
- Remove mixture from food processor and press into a 8 x 8 inch baking dish
- Refrigerate overnight (6-8 hours)
- Cut into squares and serve
Note: You may want to try my other Power Bar recipe made with almonds!
Update: several readers have commented below that this recipe was not yielding enough to fill the bottom of an 8×8 baking dish. I remade this again today and realized that I needed to double everything, so that it filled up the entire pan –when I was testing this recipe I was smooshing different batches of each version into half a pan. So, you will find that every ingredient has doubled (except for the vanilla). Sorry for the mixup! (This is what happens when you write recipes at 2am!)
I found out only yesterday that my book is now in its 5th printing just about a year after publication. Over on Amazon.com I have received quite varied reviews and I appreciate them all 94 of them, especially this one. If you’d like to add your two cents to the conversation, head on over to Amazon.com and leave a review. It doesn’t matter how many stars you give me, what’s important is to join the chat. Thanks everyone!
Faye Suggs Gannon says
Congrats on the 5th printing! Plan to try your bar recipe this weekend.
Thanks for all you do for us! And I’d love to win your book!
Kathryn Richards says
I love your site and hope I get a copy of your book. it seems wheat is not an item my body likes and I am enjoying creating/baking things with almond flour.
Cupboard Love says
Crossing my fingers so hard cuz I reaaaaallly want to win this!
Marissa says
YUM!!!!!! I’ve always been a fan of Larabars and started creating my own concoctions at home. Cherries are my FAVE!!!!! Thanks for the new ideas! I am excited to try them! And I must say, regarding the give-a-way: Yay to almond meal! I actually love how dense and filling it is because it keeps me honest with my portion sizes :) and tastes great and has good nutrient value – WIN WIN
Lisa Sparks says
I’d like to try this one on a chopping board. Trying to reduce my carbon footprint wherever I can! Looks super-yummy tho!
It’s cool that you posted this now because I’m addicted to Larabars and this might be a good alternative to handing over $1.79 for one bar of those things. (They are really good though.) I think I’ll try the recipe now to get Larabars out of my mind. Oh, I said it again. Larabars! Ok, I’m going to go and try to make the recipe now. Tks! – L
amy says
Those bars look really good! They remind me of a lara bar! I am thinking I need to make an ingredient shopping list!:)
Jen says
Intriguing recipe. My 11 year old is a little hefty and has become interested in eating more healthily. These sound like a terrific idea for her — interesting tastes and textures. Thank you!
gfe-gluten free easily says
Awesome looking bars, Elana! Glad to hear all the “good stuff” going on. :-) Not entering the giveaway as I’ve had one of your cookbooks from Day One and was lucky enough for you to give me one of your lovely bags! BTW, I actually had a gluten-free friend’s gift stashed in it recently, and she was so disappointed when she found out that your bag did not come with the gift. True. I felt so bad, but I wasn’t willing to part with your bag at the time. ;-) Must get her one for Christmas!
See you soon, dear! xo,
Shirley
P Roland says
I love your book. It would be fun to have one to gift. I really appreciate all of your recipes!
Nana says
I would love to have a copy of your book!