Welcome to my crazy world of real food cooking ...

Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly Plants. -- Michael Pollan

I wish I could take credit for that because I think it sums up how we should eat. Simply -- eat stuff that really is food, instead of stuff that is food like substance. The supermarket is almost entirely food-like-substances, and, my friends, you should probably never ever eat them.

Fortunately, there is a world of deliciousness out there, and it can all be had in a way that not only doesn't harm your health, but in a way that benefits you hugely.

I think it's important to eat stuff that satisfies you, that keeps your blood sugar stable, and that gives you stuff your body really needs to run optimally.

But baby, it's gotta taste good.

I really like getting experimental in the kitchen. I love cooking, I love layering flavours, and I love coming up with really super yummy food. I have very strong opinions about what constitutes food, and there are a lot of things I won't touch in the kitchen. Bottom line? Pretty much everything I make is ridiculously good for you even if it tastes decadent. Although there are occasional big fat cheats ... but even those stick to real food, my friends.

For food that is usual gluten free, usually free of cane sugar, usually super low on the glycemic index, full of protein, fiber, flavour, and excellent energy, join me and Alice down the rabbit hole.

Every recipe on this blog is my own original effort and idea, so please pass 'em on, giving credit where credit is due.

Many thanks, and come back often. I'm really glad you are here!

:)

Sunday, 24 October 2010

Apricot and Pistachio Power Bars



Unlike the previous power bars I have posted about, these ones do not have a homogeneous, melt-in-your mouth texture. The pistachios and cashews are coarsely chopped instead of finely ground, and the goji berries are chopped as well. There are no chocolate undertones in this one. It's more of a berry burst, like a mouthful of sunshine on a chewy apricot afternoon. I like 'em.


ingredients:


1 cup pistachios
1 cup raw cashews


1 1/2 cup organic unsulphured apricots -- update to 2 cups
2 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil -- update to 4 tbsp
1/4 cup flax meal
1/2 cup goji berries


1 tbsp acai powder
1 tbsp pure green barley powder
2 tbsp maca powder


1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger powder




directions:


1. coarsely chop the pistachios and cashews (by pulsing in your food processor). Set aside
2. puree the apricots in your food processor
3. add coconut oil, flax seeds, and goji berries and chop
4. add acai, barley powder, and maca, and combine
5. add salt, cinnamon, and ginger, and combine
6. add pistachios and cashews, and pulse to combine, but try not to puree
7. press very firmly into a square baking pan
8. chill for several hours or overnight
9. cut into squares. I usually make 32.
10. share with your friends
11. oops on second thought -- keep them to yourself until further notice. They are too crumbly! Update soon ...


Update:
by returning the crumbly bars to the food processor with an extra 1/2 cup of apricots and 2 more tbsp of coconut oil, they decided to cling together properly, and have become chewy bars with good integrity. 

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