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!
kathy soman says
I just want to thank you for the great cookbook
After having chemo treatments for cancer I can no longer tolerate wheat
and it is a pleasure to make things without xanthan gum as well.
I have been doing some raw and some cooked foods in my diet but when i need a great baked item i refer to your cookbook.
Thanks,
Kathy
Renee says
These sounds wonderful! I have a friend who is studying ayurveda and she introduced me to sesame date balls. Yummy! Your recipe is similar so I would probably like them too.
Thanks for the recipe!
Laura says
I’ve been looking for some good snack ideas. I’m a nursing mom and it feels like I’m hungry ALL the time! Anyway, I would love to win. I’ve had your book on my wishlist for quite some time.
Graciela says
This recipe seems great! I also clicked on the Power Bar Recipe, which is an almond-chocolate based, and looks so yummy!
Elana, thank you so much for your brilliant ideas about dient and gluten free recipes. :)
Graciela
Alison Ortega says
Can’t wait to try this recipe…and of course the giveaway is exciting as well!! =)
Jen says
These look great- I’ve been looking for a recipe to try. Buying the at the store is so expensive!
KellyBelly says
Just made my 1st recipe from your site today,the apple crisp. Yummy! Looking forward to many, many more! That 5lb bag of almond flour will be gone in no time (I love to bake) and need am always looking for new lunch box ideas. thanks
Crystal says
What a lovely site! I’ll be making these snack bars tomorrow! So excited about the giveaway, too! Blessings.
Beth says
These look awesome! I love the dried cherries making an appearance — kind of reminds me of Larabars “cherry pie” flavor. Yum!
Kim says
This bar recipe looks amazing…thanks for sharing your awesome recipes!!!