Breakfast Bars - Recipe

I have yet another oaty recipe for you, this one has no honey or added sugar.  This is the recipe I have been using recently for the bars I serve at my yoga workshops - most people seem to love them.  The basic idea is from Nigella but of course I have changed it to suit my taste and budget!  Nigellas recipe states Medjool dates which do work well but I have used ordinary supermarket chopped dates and also did a batch with some dates I bought in B & M Bargains - 39p for 200g, which is a real bargain.  They all seem to work.




Ingredients:

250g/9oz dates
1 tsp mixed spices
75g/2.5oz dried cherries
75g/2.5oz dried blueberries
100g/3.5oz mixed seeds (I use sesame, pumpkin and sunflower)
25g/1oz chia seeds
25g/1oz any kind of crispy cereal (I used one from Rude Health which has all manner of wholegrains)
100g/3.5oz porridge oats

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven at 170degrees/Gas 4 and line a tin with greaseproof paper, I squirt the tin with coconut spray oil to help the paper stick in place.

2. Pit the dates and tear them up if you are using whole ones, then place in a small saucepan with 325ml of water and add the spices.  Bring up to boil and let the mixture bubble for 5 minutes.

3. Beat the mixture with a fork or you can use a hand blender to puree.  I have done both methods - both work.

4. Put all remaining ingredients into a bowl and then add the date mixture and stir thoroughly.

5. Press the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for around 20-25 minutes until it looks really set and golden brown on the top with slightly darker edges.

6. Leave to cool before cutting.

You can use any kinds of dried fruits, nuts, seeds - I have made them a bit more of a treat sometimes by adding choc chips.  Enjoy with a cup of liquorice or cinnamon tea!

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