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!
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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!
Beth Byrd says
Elana – ok, I made these but don’t know what happened….They totally fell apart and it is now “granola” :-) Still tastes GREAT! Kids love it on their yogurt – but I don’t know what I did wrong :( Will try again.
Roq says
This recipe is perfect for me! I have been on the look out for delicious recipes for snack bars and this one fits the bill perfectly. I love your website. I just have to take care not to drool over the key board!!
Alta says
Wow, these could also become my new addiction. They look fantastic. Dried cherries are one of my favorite treats.
Gratefully Gluten Free says
I made these bars and they are absolutely wonderful! I love that I know every ingredient and can pronounce them all, unlike the storebought versions of powerbars! What a great healthy alternative to ones filled with preservatives and artificial ingredients! Thank you!
Megan says
Elana~
These bars look amazing! Can’t wait to try them this weekend- thanks for the version with almonds. My boys LOVE almonds (2& 1/2 yrs and 16 mos!). Take care…
luv2bake says
Wow! who knew you could make power bars with pie spices!
I would never have come up with this on my own.
Nancy Franklin says
Elana,
Have enjoyed reading your blog and cookbook on line. I am sensitive to cashews. Is there another nut you could recommend using in it’s place, in your recipes? In addition, I am also curious to know if you have come across another source for lentil pasta?
Thanks!
Kathryn Bruch says
These sound great but, would love to have the nutritional values. Have to watch the sugar with being diabetic. Will try and figure out on my own and try. Thanks.
Christa says
These were great!
Hedy Harris says
I made your cauliflower rice. I loved it…but I was afraid I would have to make too many explanations and the men in our Succah would not eat it. So, I added 2 small grated potatoes, chopped another onion and added two eggs, some salt and pepper…a made a cauliflower/potato kugel….calling it only a potato kugel,(since I knew that if I said cauliflower I would have only women takers). Everyone raved over it. I only told those who wanted the recipe what was really in it. Thank you so much.