Snack Idea: Yummy Fruit & Nutty Grain Bars

 I'm not a big fan of buying crackers and snacks from the store for my kids, because the ingredients are usually full of preservatives, sugar, salt, and lot's of unidentifiable items that just can NOT be healthy. So, I make my own! Here's a recipe I adapted from Ellie Krieger's book "The Food You Crave" and it is one of our favorites...plus it's packed with a ton of fiber, protein, minerals and heart-healthy fats. 

 

Recipe

 

1 cup of quick cooking oats

1 cup of bran flakes (see change it up below for alternative)
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 walnuts or pecans
1/2 cup of figs
1/2 cup of dried apricots
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup dried milk
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup

2 eggs

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat with cooking spray a 9 by 13 inch baking pan. 

2. Put all ingredients except honey/maple syrup and eggs in a food processor and chop well until desired consistency. I usually like them to be more crunchy so I don't process it for very long, but if you don't like it crunchy process until it resembled a coarse paste.

3. Add the syrup or honey and eggs and pulse until well combined.
4. Transfer to prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Sometimes it helps to wet your hands and flatten them that way. Bake for about 20 minutes and cut into 20 squares. 

Want the original recipe? Check it out here:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/energy-bars-recipe/index.html

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Who likes to change it up?

~You can replace dried cranberries for black or golden raisins.
~If you don't have bran flakes, just use corn flakes.
~Try agave syrup instead of honey or maple syrup.
~Try half wheat germ half whole wheat flour.
~Use dried dates instead of figs.

Add 1/2 tsp nutmeg and/or ground ginger to give it a different flavor.   

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             Are you into healthy eating? 

I would highly recommend Ellie Krieger's books. Her philosophy on food is similar to mine where a rainbow color is important when she decides what to serve at a meal and she wants to make sure her family eats healthy. Every meal that I have made from "The Food You Crave" cookbook has been delicious.Amazon offers some good deals on her book that are cheaper than in the store, and you can buy them new or used.