No Cook Pressed Fruit & Nut Bars
I've started sharing some easy snack recipes that you can make at home during lockdown - so thought I'd post them here too.
These no cook pressed fruit and nut bars can be made with just two ingredients (dates and cashews) or three if you add a bit of flavouring (orange zest is a favourite) - and they only take 10 minutes to prep and then you simply chill in the fridge for an hour.
Ingredients
200g soft pitted dates (see alternatives below)
200g cashew nuts
Something for sticking purposes - 1 tbsp water, a little melted coconut oil or a tbsp of tahini
flavouring - orange zest, vanilla essence, chocolate chips - optional
Method
Line a baking tin - this is enough for a loaf tin, but if you want to make a square tin double the ingredients
Put the dates, salt and either a tbsp water, a couple of teaspoons of melted coconut oil or tahini into a food processor and blend until you have a sticky paste. Scrape down the sides of the food processor. Remove and place into a bowl.
Add the nuts and process until they resemble breadcrumbs. Tip into the dates and add your flavouring. Use your hands to press the mixture together and blend again - it might take a little work but If the mixture is not sticking together, add another spoon of water until the mixture starts to stick together. You want a ball of 'dough' by the end.
Transfer the mixture into the lined tin and press out evenly - you might find wetting your hands helps this along. Place in the fridge to set for at least an hour or overnight.
Once chilled, remove from the fridge and slice into bars or chunks.
