Saturday, January 3, 2015

Crunchy Cashew Sesame Cardamom Bars


Man, oh man was I going to start the year off blogging with a vengeance. But life or shall I say this flu bug has really put a damper on things around here. Before I talk about the recipe I’m posting here today I would like to address New Year’s resolutions and my lack of any resolutions made. Years ago I would make heartfelt declarations and year after year most times in the very same month of January I would regress, yes fall back. Nowadays I make suggestions…..like I will be kinder to others and to myself, things like that. I will try and eat at least one green salad a day, things that I know that I will do, does this make me a good person for not trying to better myself, who knows…..but that is what works now. Happy New Year’s everyone, wish you all the best.

Now for these cashew sesame bars, they are delicious, my husband and I ate an 8” x 8” pan of these in one day. They are crunchy, perfectly sweet and healthy. The cardamom spice is wonderful with these ingredients. Also, you could change out many of the ingredients for different flavors, but according to Bon Appetite you want to have the same three basic building blocks. For example 1) a binder, like dried fruits for chewy or liquid sweeteners for crunchy. 2) Body; something to chew on, like nuts, oats, unsweetened coconut, wheat germ and bran. And last but not least 3) crunch, like seeds, nuts grains and cacao nibs. Be careful these are addictive…….

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup raw cashews
6 tablespoons raw sesame seeds
5 tablespoons flax seed meal
1/4 cup wheat germ
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 cup maple syrup,
1 tablespoon coconut oil

To prepare:

Begin by coating an 8" x 8" pan with vegetable oil, line with parchment paper leaving overhang on all sides.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Toast cashews and sesame seeds in separate areas on a rimmed cookie sheet for 10 to 12 minutes stirring every 2 minutes. Let cool, set aside. Toast flax seed meal 6 minutes, stirring after 3 minutes, set aside. Place 2 tablespoons of the sesame seeds and 1 tablespoon of the flax seed in a separate container to top bars before baking.


Process cashews and remaining seeds with wheat germ, salt and cardamom in a food processor until finely chopped. Place in a medium bowl.


Bring maple syrup and coconut oil to a boil in a small sauce pan, about 1 minute. Pour over cashew mixture and coat to stir. Press mixture firmly into prepared pan, with wet hands. (makes the process so much easier). Top with reserved seeds. Bake until golden brown 25 to 30 minutes.


Let cool, then cut into 12 bars. Enjoy!


Recipe from Bon Appetit January Magazine 2015.
Cheri Savory Spoon
Cheri Savory Spoon

Mysavoryspoon was first started in 2010 as a way to journal recipes that I had collected from cookbooks, magazines, family and friends. Most everything was savory, using legumes and whole grains. Along the way I discovered a love for baking. Now a couple times a month you might see some type of sweet pie or treat.

87 comments:

  1. i think every day that we treat ourselves a little bit better is a win. if that means exercise, healthy eating, a sinful treat, whatever. so every day is a chance to do our selves well. :)

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  2. These nutty cardamom bars are not only delicious, also very nutritious and healthy!
    Happy New Year, Cheri!
    Angie

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  3. I have a weakness for cashews, Cheri, so I will have to try these out! :)

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  4. These look good! It's always nice to have a healthy snack alternative. Hope you're feeling better! :)

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    1. Hi Betty, thanks, I am feeling better, but now my husband is sick, ugh!

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  5. I think I could easily devour the lot! I never make resolutions either :)

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  6. Very healthy and delicious cardamom bars. Very tempting. :)

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  7. These bars sound delicious - and dangerous!
    Great way to start the year.

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    1. Thanks Beth, we really enjoyed them, dangerous yes!

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  8. what a bummer about your flu...looks like youre back in force :) I just discovered the wonders of coconut oil and Im adding it to simply everything.

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    1. Hi Francesca, love to saute broccoli in coconut oil, it's delicious!

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  9. Cheri:

    Happy New Year. I hope you are feeling better.

    I like the idea of suggestions rather than resolutions. Yes, be kind to yourself.

    These bars look delicious. I look forward to more of your recipes in the coming year.

    D

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    1. Thanks Dena! yes I'm feeling better, now it's my husband that is feeling bad.

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  10. I am drinking a cup of cardamom tea right now while trying to stay warm. Too bad I don't one of these to go with it! Feel better soon!

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    1. Thanks Abbe, your cardamom tea sounds delicious, I have not seen that flavor.

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  11. Feliz 2015 que todos tus sueños se conviertan en realidad. Besos

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    1. gracias, feliz 2015 para ti también. Los mejores deseos!

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  12. It doesn't surprise me that you and your husband made light work of these! Love the inclusion of wheatgerm, as it's one of my favourites to add to baked goods. And cardamom happens to be one of my favourite spices. Hoping you manage to rid that flu bug!

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    1. Thanks Johnny, yes I am much better, but now my husband is sick. Anyway cardamom is my favorite spice to, love it in baked goodies.

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  13. I do the same thing, make suggestions to myself and make it things I know I will do, why set yourself up for failure. Love the bars Cheri, healthful and delicious and something you can feel good about eating. Very nice.

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    1. Thanks Suzanne, your so right, why set oneself up for failure. The bars were delicious but we probably should not eat the whole batch in one day:)

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  14. I hope you are feeling better now! These bars fill two of my needs, firstly, the need to eat anything that features cardamom (I love it even more than cinnamon!) and my NY goal to snack more on nourishing things (and replace my empty and bland snack of rice cakes). Thanks for sharing Cheri, and here's to an amazing 2015!

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    1. Thanks Amy, I'm a big fan of cardamom too! Happy 2015 to you!

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  15. Hi Cheri,
    These crunchy cashew sesame bars looked delicious and like you've said ... addictive!
    You rest well too and take care !

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  16. I love that cardamom smell and taste! Also I love a crunchy bar, always makes me feel fuller. Thanks for these!

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  17. 12 bars is just right!!! For me, LOL ;P xx. Love cashew and sesame, so really this is MINE!!!

    Julie & Alesah
    Gourmet Getaways xx

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  18. So sorry about the flu - hope you get well soon. You're right about resolutions - it's best for me just to keep trying without dramatic declarations! Love, love, love these bars. Can't wait to make them as they are speaking to me. It's so nice to have a treat that feels like a treat but is healthy too! Happy 2015!

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    1. Thanks Tricia, feeling much better. Happy 2015 to you to!

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  19. Great idea, I've not tried making anything like this before but I like the sound of these!

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    1. Hi Caroline, these are pretty easy to put together, thanks for stopping by.

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  20. So sorry to hear you were sick Cheri, hopefully you feel better soon! And these bars look amazing!

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  21. Sorry to hear about the flu! Hope you're feeling better. Love these bars -- such interesting flavor. Really good -- thanks. And Happy New Year!

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    1. Hi John, feeling much better, thanks! Happy 2015 to you and the Mrs.

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  22. That flu bug is certainly making the rounds this season! Hope you're feeling better. These bars sound like something I would really love. I'll bet I have all the ingredients on hand too. Thank you!

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    1. Thanks Susan, I buy sesame seeds by the bulk now since I use them so much anymore, funny as a few years ago I did not use them at all.

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  23. Ooh, I would have polished these off in a day, too! Love these kinds of things, and definitely don't make them often enough.
    Glad you're feeling better now, Cheri. Winter bugs are such a bummer - scupper all your plans, don't they?

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    1. Hi Helen, isn't that the truth, this one seems to be hitting my family particularly hard this year.

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  24. I start off every year with a lot of good intentions too. I do love the look of these toasted cashew nut bars and how excellent that they can be made relatively quickly and easily xx

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    1. Thanks Charlie, they are easy to make and my new favorite bars so far this year, but it's just beginning.

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  25. Oh, my gosh, I could eat a half a pan, too! I know better than to make resolutions---but I like your idea of good intentions/suggestions! Hope you're feeling better.

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  26. I like the idea of making suggestions rather than resolutions...this way if you miss a day or two it doesn't feel like such a failure! Ooo I love the sound of these bars. Perfect for pre-workout energy!

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    1. You are so right, it's okay to miss a day or two. Thanks Joanne!

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  27. I can totally see how these bars would be addictive, Cheri, just look at those ingredients!

    Sorry to hear about you being down with the flu. It can reek havoc on everything and everyone around you. Drink lots of fluids, rest and feel better soon:)

    Thanks for sharing, Cheri...

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    1. Hi Louise, yes finally feeling normal again, seems to be a bad one this year. Thanks!

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  28. I said the same thing. "As soon as the family leaves after Christmas, I'm getting stuck in and going to create heaps of blog posts ahead." Then John went to the hospital and the laundry needed to be done and the pool needed to be cleaned and I said, "Situation normal."

    Poor you with the flu though. I hope you're all better now.

    I sure do love the ingredients in these bars.

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    1. Thanks Maureen, it seems there is always something. Take care!

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  29. These look really good! And they are healthy so I wouldn't feel so bad eating a whole pan :) I hope you get back to your normal self soon!

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  30. These are right up Mark's alley! When I need a favor, I will make these for him!

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  31. These tasty cardamom bars right off would be the perfect healthy uni snack :D
    Delicious!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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    1. Hi Uru, yes, they would be perfect. Bet you are busy with uni again!

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  32. I planned to really stay on top of my blogging, but one gets sick then we all get sick. I keep saying next week :D
    These bars look delicious and very healthy. I have some cardamom, but have yet to use it. Now I have a good reason :D

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    1. Hi Cindy, even if you got the flu shot I guess this year they missed the mark. Makes you think!

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  33. These bars look so delicious. Cashew and cardamom goes great together! Love to try these! thanks for sharing!

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  34. Dear Cheri, first up, I hope that you and yours had a great and happy start to the New Year! All the very best! Then I certainly hope that you have gotten over the flu by now and that you are feeling much better!
    Your recipe for these crunchy bars looks delightfully delicious and like such a wonderful treat to make for the whole family!
    Thanks for sharing your recipe, best wishes for a healthy weekend!
    Take care,
    Andrea

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    1. Thanks Andrea, yes I am finally rid of that awful flu. Ready to start cooking up a storm.

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  35. Replies
    1. Thank you so much, I keep a large bar jar of sesame seeds on my counter now I use them in so many dishes now, love the flavor.

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  36. Hope your flu is completely gone. Cheri!
    Your bars look amazing and really a healthy start to the New Year!

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  37. These bars look like a great thing for snacking on! I love the cashew & cardamon combo. Hope you're feeling better! Wishing you the best for 2015!

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    1. Thanks Reeni, cardamom is one of my favorite spices to use when baking. Happy 2015 to you too!

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  38. Sorry about the flu, Cheri. Very happy though to pick up this splendid recipe of healthy (!) scrumptiousness! And Amen to lovely resolutions such as greater kindness to others and self with salads and such =)

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    1. Hi Kim, yes, now over the flu will be posting a kale salad soon. Take care!

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  39. Delicious, pretty and healthy - these bars are simply perfect if I may say so and love the cardamom in them.

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    1. Thank you, cardamom is one of my favorite spices as well.

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  40. Those bars look fantastic Cheri.
    I hope you had a great start of the New Yeat my friend!

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  41. awww.w..... they're so awesome!

    PS. I'm organizing a chocolate contest on my bilingual blog. Maybe you'd like to join us? :)

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    1. Hi Marcela, would love too, will check out your block.

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  42. So sorry to hear about your mom Cheri - I think your soup looks good enough to cure just about any ailment though.

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