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!
Mark says
I’m a newly gluten free athlete and I’m really looking forward to trying out a lot of your recipes, especially your energy bars!
Dayle Halverson says
Elana, I am so grateful for you and all the time and energy you give so graciously. I was diagnosed with Celiac last Spring and have found your website and recipes so helpful and refreshing. I especially loved the Rosh Hashana meals as they fed my soul. Many, many blessings to you!
Alice says
I was side-tracked by the reference to chyawanprash, which I had never heard of. I spent the rest of the day reading about it, seeking some out at a local indian market, and finally tasting it. Very exotic tasting to me, but it seems to help my tummy troubles. Thanks for sending me along this path. Ayurveda has always been interesting to me.
jill says
Any suggestions for substituiting the dates for something yummy? I’m not a fan of dates (the fruit-dates with boys are fine)….
Susan says
Those bars look alot like LaraBars! But it all sounds good! I hope you have a beautiful fall and NO MORE FIRES!
I’d love to win the giveaway with your cookbook…
: – )
Kelly says
Elana, your recipe sounds a lot like a Larabar. I love Larabars; they are my go-to snack of choice. I’ve thought forever about trying to create my own… now I think I will!
Louise says
I love your site! You have some amazing recipes! My daughters are gluten-intolerant. All your recipes are yummy and so pretty, Oh and healthy. I also want to try these bars. Will let you know how they turn out. Hoping to win your Cookbook. Thank-you for all the help…..
Ayesha says
Hi Elana,
I’ve just discovered your brilliant blog – so much to explore here and I’m enjoying your style already. I feel as though I’ve found some real support at last – thank you so much for sharing all these nurturing recipes.
Dana says
Very soothing and calming and YUMMY!! Thank you! Blessings~Dana
Palila says
I hadn’t even thought of making my own power bars. Will be mixing some up before the next time we go camping.