Raw Vegan Almond Fig Bars. Recipe Makeover

This happens to all of us. You see a recipe that looks and sounds wonderful but then you go to make it, buy the ingredients, invest time and energy only for it not to turn out. There are many reasons as to why this could happen. Some recipes are truly just bad recipes; others are not written well, leaving some steps confusing to readers. Other recipes may have measurement issues or there could be a user error and you may misread or improperly measured something. Whatever it is, don’t let this stop you from cooking!

This recently happened to a friend of mine. She reached out to me for help. She shared this recipe for Raw Vegan Almond Fig Bars saying she made it but hers was a soggy mess and did not work out at all. I took a look at the recipe and even at first glance I could see several places that could lead to confusion or misinterpretation. When a recipe seems vague in descriptions or does not provide exact measurements, especially for baked items, it is a red flag for a potential error. After working through the original recipe myself, I updated it to be more precise. However, I still had a problem with this particular recipe. For me when I want a snack, I want it now and don’t want to wait for 2-4 hours for an ingredient to be prepared. It also seemed way too long and labor-intensive for what was actually needed to produce a tasty result. I got to work making a new simpler yet same great flavor recipe.

Take a look at the recipe below; my adjusted comments are in green. These are things to look for when trying out new recipes as they may lead to potential pitfalls. With my new notes in green, the original recipe should work out better but if you are looking for a simpler healthy snack without all the steps try my new version. My revised Fruit and Nut Bar Recipe is also on my blog. It is a healthy no-bake snack that is perfect for those busy on-the-go days.

(original recipe on the left, my revised recipe on the right)

Raw Vegan Almond Fig Bars

(Original recipe is below; my revised comments are in green)

This recipe is : raw vegan

Serves: 9 big bars

Ingredients

For the crust

1 cup walnuts
1 cup almonds
1 heaping cup raisins (“heaping” is not a measurement. Your heaping, my heaping and her heaping could all be very different measurements)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

For the filling

2 cups dried figs, soaked in water for 2-4 hours (keep the water!) (The first area for confusion are these figs dried as in still soft or dehydrated as in they have no moisture in them and must be re-hydrated. I used dried figs from Costco actually. They were not fresh fruits but dried and still soft on the inside. This softness is crucial because if you use these you can cut out this ridiculous 2-4 hour step. I don’t know about you, but when I want to make a snack I don’t want to wait 2-4 hours to do so.)
1-2 tablespoons maple syrup (optional) (This is totally optional: figs are already really sweet)
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the topping

1 1/2 cups pecans

Preparation

To make the crust: process the nuts in your food processor until you get really fine pieces – like flour. Alternately you could use oat flour here. Add the raisins and cinnamon. If it’s not sticky enough, add some dates or maple syrup. (“if not sticky enough” really does not help, how are you to know how sticky it should be. I bet most people would add extra fruit or syrup because the mixture is really not that “sticky” at all. The mixture will still be crumbly but should stick together when pressed with your fingers with 1 1/4 raisins. I used 1 tablespoon extra syrup for good consistency”) Press into a 9X9 pan or shape it yourself on parchment paper, that’s what I did.
To make the filling: blend the figs, maple syrup/agave and salt in the food processor (no need to wash it yet), adding the soak water as needed to make it smooth but still quite thick. (Again how much water? Even an approximate amount would help.) Spread this on the crust but keep a little less than 1/4 cup of it in the food processor… (see my note on dried vs. dehydrated figs. I used dried figs, 1 tablespoon syrup and 1 tablespoon water. Blend this to make a smooth sticky paste.)
To make the topping: add the pecans to the food processor (with the leftover fig mixture) and pulse until there are small nut chunks, but not too fine. Sprinkle this on top of the fig filling and press down a little. Cut and enjoy! (they will cut best if chilled first) I sliced the sides off mine to make it a nice square so I had these extra strips of fig bar… I made fig nut milk! Just blend it with water.

So with that said, you can save yourself so much time and take out 3 of these steps while still achieving a very similar result. The way I see it, there is no need for the 3 layers unless you just like time consuming recipes. Everything gets pressed together anyways so lets make it easy.

The Top 8 Foods That Feed Your Heart

February is not just a month about love because it contains Valentines Day. February is also American Heart Health Month.

This month, look out for your heart and of for the ones you love by incorporating these “Top 8 That are Great” heart-friendly foods into your diet.

1. Almonds. These nuts have heart-healthy nutrients like the antioxidant vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids. These “good” fats help lower cholesterol. Studies show that almonds may help improve the lining of the arteries as well. Almonds are a calorie-dense food, so stick to small portions for snacks or introduce them by grinding them up to add crunch in chicken breading, salads or oatmeal toppings.

2. Spinach. High in folate, potassium, fiber, calcium and co-enzyme Q10, spinach helps lower blood pressure and is essential for the strength of the muscles. With the heart being one of our larger and more important muscles in the body, this is key for keeping it strong and healthy. Popeye had it right; eat your spinach or other dark leafy vegetables every day. Substitute it for lettuce in salads and on sandwiches, add it to an omelet, lasagna, and soup, or even blend it in a smoothie.

3. Avocados. These are high in calories but loaded with healthy fats. Avocados have monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, vitamin E, fiber and folic acid, and avocados contribute nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and nutrients to the diet. Add a little guacamole to your dinner or a few slices to a salad or sandwich. You can even make chocolate avocado mousse for dessert.

4. Blueberries. Blueberries have an abundance of antioxidants. They are also a good source of beta-carotene, calcium, vitamin C and fiber that can help maintain a healthy heart. Blueberries are perfect eaten out of hand as a snack, or added to a salad, cereal or yogurt. They even freeze well for smoothies and baking.

5. Oatmeal. This versatile, healthy grain is known to lower cholesterol levels significantly. It is a great source of fiber, Omega 3s, vitamin B1 and magnesium. Lower cholesterol levels help support a healthy heart and cardiovascular system. Oatmeal is a neutral base, so add in some extra heart-healthy goodness by adding fresh berries and nuts.

6. Brown rice. Swap white rice for brown rice. It tastes similar and has much more added benefits than the stripped-away white rice varieties. Brown rice is high in manganese, a good source of vitamin B and iron. Brown rice provides cell protection, and works to lower cholesterol. Cooked rice is great as a side dish, in stir-fry dishes, or even mixed into desserts and eggs.

7. Salmon. Salmon is one of the best sources for Omega 3 fatty acids, which are essential to circulatory function. These “good fats” keep blood pressure levels within normal limits. Look for wild salmon over farmed for the best quality and nutrients. Bake or broil it with a little seasoning or dressings for dinner and use leftovers in a salad for lunch. Not into salmon? Try one of the other oily fish varieties for the same benefits, like mackerel, tuna, or sardines.

8. Legumes. Legumes are relatively inexpensive and shelf-stable, so keep a few cans on hand at all times. They are rich in protein soluble fiber, calcium and fatty acids. They help keep you feeling full and clean out all the old stuff that may be clinging to your artery walls. Mix a can into rice, soup or pasta for healthy, quick meals.

easy snacks