Date and nut energy bars
Date and nut energy bars are packed with complex carbohydrates that provide sustained energy to muscles during exercise. Potatoes are a great source of potassium, an essential mineral for recovery. That's why Dolbec potatoes are included in this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 yellow-fleshed potato (Patates Dolbec), peeled and cut in half
- 250 ml (1 cup) of pitted and roughly chopped dates
- 5 ml (1 tsp) of vanilla extract
- 2 beaten eggs
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) of maple syrup
- 125 ml (1/2 cup) chopped pecans
- 125 ml (1/2 cup) of chopped dried fruit (apricots, cranberries, figs)
- 125 ml (1/2 cup) of unsweetened shredded coconut
- 250 ml (1 cup) of quick-cooking oat flakes
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) pumpkin seeds
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) of ground chia seeds (or flax seeds)
- 1.25 ml (1/4 tsp) of cinnamon
- 1 pinch of salt
Steps
- Place the potato in a saucepan. Cover with cold water and add salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until tender. Drain and let cool slightly on a plate, uncovered. Mash the potato until smooth.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Place the dates and vanilla in a food processor. Blend until smooth. If necessary, add 15 to 30 ml (1 to 2 tbsp) of hot water to obtain a sticky puree.
- In a bowl, mix the date puree with the mashed potato, eggs and maple syrup.
- Add the pecans, dried fruit, coconut, oat flakes, seeds, cinnamon and salt, then stir until everything is well coated with the wet ingredients.
- Place the mixture in a 20 cm (8 in) square pan lined with parchment paper. Level the surface by pressing firmly.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the edges of the preparation are lightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Unmold and cut into twelve bars.
