AJFAN FOR HEALTH: RECIPE - HEALTHY DATE BARS

We Introduce Ajfan for Health- Healthy Recipes for healthy Living.

METHOD

Pit the dates and soak them in boiling water for 20 minutes. Use 250 g / 9 oz of dates if you want to use date paste (rather than maple syrup) to sweeten the chocolate layer too. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 150° C / 300° F. Place drained dates in a food processor, together with vanilla essence and tahini and process until smooth. Add 30 ml / 2 tbsp of boiling water to keep the machine going without getting jammed. Process for 5 minutes, until super smooth and a thick paste forms. If using dates for the chocolate layer, save ¼ cup of the paste for later.Stir the date / tahini mixture through the nuts and seeds mixture, ensuring it is evenly distributed throughout. You may need to use your hands to do this as the paste is thick.Spread the mixture in the paper-lined baking tin. Press the mixture down really well so that there are no gaps / air pockets and the bars hold together well. Use a piece of baking paper with a flat-bottomed glass on top to be able to pack the mixture better. Bake for about 30-40 minutes, they should be browned, no longer super soft / raw to the touch. Take out of the oven and compress the mixture again using the upside down glass trick. Then weigh it down with something heavy while the mixture is cooling down. Allow it to cool down completely before cutting or applying the topping.Melt coconut oil on a low heat, stir through cocoa powder and maple syrup Spread the chocolate layer on the cool bars, sprinkle with sesame seeds and salt flakes and refrigerate until the topping has set.

AJFAN FOR HEALTH: RECIPE - HEALTHY DATE BARS INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS BARS

200-250 g Medjool dates                                       65 g / ½ cup chopped almonds

65 g / ½ cup chopped walnuts                                   40 g / ¼ cup pumpkin seeds

35 g / ¼ cup sunflower seeds                                    30 g / 1 cup puffed rice

25 g / ¼ cup ground flax seeds                                  ¼ tsp ground cardamom

1½ tsp vanilla essence                                               30 ml / 2 tbsp runny tahini

TOPPING

37 g / 3 tbsp coconut oil 3 tbsp cocoa powder 3 tbsp maple syrup white sesame seeds, to garnish sea salt flakes, to garnish