You know when you are racing around all day and you’re so hungry you can’t think but you don’t want to eat crappy food?

This is a recipe for those times. Infinitely variable, I make this with whatever is in my pantry or whatever was on sale at the bulk foods store. They are like Larabars, but much cheaper and in an infinite variety of flavours!

A note on dates: you can use either the super-delicious but slightly expensive Medjool variety, in which case you only need to pit them, or the dried variety more widely available (and cheaper). If you opt for the second choice, soak them for fifteen minutes with enough boiling water to cover, then strain off and reserve the soaking liquid. If the mixture seems to dry, you can moisten it with a little of the liquid, added one tablespoonful at a time. Use this step as well for any other dried fruits you add.

(Not the most beautiful food on earth, but they are delicious)

Energy bars deluxe

2 cups (loosely packed) dates, or 1 1/2 c dates and 1/2 c candied ginger or dried apple or apricots

2 c of any of the following, or a combination: sunflower seeds, walnuts, pecans, almonds, coconut or cashews

A pinch of sea salt

Optional flavorings/ nutrition boosters:

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp ginger

1/4 tsp allspice

1 tsp turmeric

1 tbsp hemp hearts,

1tbsp flax seeds

2 tbsp cocoa powder

Directions: Line a baking sheet with parchment and brush it with coconut oil. Set aside. Prepare your dates according to the directions above and place them in the bowl of your food processor. Add all other ingredients and pulse a few times to combine, then run to motor until you have a thick batter. A few chunks are fine. If it’s too thick, add either a little of the date soaking liquid, or one or two more Medjool dates. If it’s too runny, throw in a few more nuts or seeds. This is a casual recipe. We take it easy. Roll with it. When the batter is thick but pliable, use a rubber spatula to scrape it onto the baking sheet (taste test here) and smooth the top to make a uniform thickness- if the batter sticks, moisten your spatula with a little water.

Place the baking sheet in the fridge from an hour, then cut the bars int your desired shape, wrap in plastic wrap, and take them with you whenever you’re looking at a long and hungry day ahead! I keep a stash of these in my car’s glove box. Very handy. Unfortunately I can’t tell you about their shelf life because they never last long.

Try these fabulous combinations:
Dates, peanuts, coconut, cocoa powder

Dates, dried apple, pecans, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg

Dates, walnuts, cocoa powder

Dates, apricots, cashews, cinnamon

Dates, candied ginger, sunflower seeds, almonds, turmeric, cinnamon

What other varieties do you like?