Primo No-Bake Granola Bar

This is the best granola/energy bar recipe that I have come across.  The ingredients are very flexible in amount.  Use the most of what you like.  If you don’t like an ingredient, find something to substitute.  I began my recipe from the following site:

http://aliveagainonline.com/2012/09/propeas-protein-powder-granola-bars-4/

I have made additions and subtractions to the original recipe. 

Here goes…

Ingredients

1 cup raw honey

3 tablespoons coconut oil

12 oz almond butter

The above ingredients need to be gently heated over boiling water so that they are mixed and runny.  I put a dish on a water-filled pan to use for heat.   This can be melting while you combine the rest of the ingredients.

Sidebar

This is what Dr Oz has to say about coconut oil:

“Studies have show that intake of coconut oil can help our bodies mount resistance to both viruses and bacteria that can cause illness. Even more, it also can help to fight off yeast, fungus, and candida.”

“Coconut oil can also positively affect our hormones for thyroid and blood sugar control. People who take coconut oil also tend to have improvements in how they handle blood sugar, for coconut can help improve insulin use within the body. Coconut oil can boost thyroid function helping to increase metabolism, energy and endurance. It increases digestion and helps to absorb fat-soluble vitamins.”

“Coconut oil has a saturated fat called lauric acid, a type of MCT. It has been shown that lauric acid increases the good HDL cholesterol in the blood to help improve cholesterol ratio levels.” 

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/surprising-health-benefits-coconut-oil

Not bad stuff, huh?

One other side note, I have used several different brands of almond butter and found the best to be Earthfare’s brand.  I’m sure there are other good ones, but all brands aren’t equal.  Look for an almond butter that has a little almond chunk in it and is fresh, not canned, and I think you’ll have a better tasting finished product.

Back to the recipe…

¾ cup of dried fruits  

I used dates, raisons, cranberries,  apricots, and coconut.

!/4 cup sunflower seeds

Put the dried fruit and sunflower seeds in a food processor and chop.

3 cups of oatmeal

¼ cup flax seed

½ cup carob chips

½ teaspoon cinnamon

Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Stir in the honey, coconut oil, and almond butter.  Now it’s time to get down and dirty.  Get your hands in this mess and mix it up well!  When you’re done, make sure to lick your fingers because it’s good!

Press into a pan.  Put in the fridge over night, then cut into bars or squares.  They may be frozen or refrigerated.

Last time I made them, I didn't have the full amount of honey and they bars were very crumbly, didn't hold together as well as they previously had; so, learn from my mistake!

Déguster avec une tasse de thé!