LisaBars

In today's troubled economic times, who can afford $2.00 bars? But who wants to eat substandard bars with 46 non-food ingredients? If you have access to a store with a bulk foods section, perhaps this simple recipe for delicious bars (like LaraBars or ClifNectar bars) can save you some bucks while maintaining your high standards for optimal nourishment.

Here are several combinations. Each recipe will yield 2 bars:

Cherry: 1/4 c. dates, 1/4 c. dried cherries, 1/3 c. whole pecans, almonds, or walnuts, 1/8 tsp. cinnamon

Cashew Cookie: 1/3 c. dates, 1/2 c. raw cashews

Chocolate Chip Cookie: 1/3 c. dates, 1/2 c. raw cashews, 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract, pinch of cinnamon, 1/2 oz. finely chopped semisweet chocolate

Blueberry: 1/4 c. dried blueberries, 1/4 c. dates, 1/3 c. almonds, 1/2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest, 1 drop almond extract

Pulse the dried fruit in a food processor until it has a paste-like texture, and transfer to a medium bowl. Chop the nuts very finely (by hand or use the food processor). Add them to the fruit paste. Add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly (you might have to get in there with your hands and squish everything around).

Transfer mixture to waxed paper or plastic wrap. You can divide the mixture into two blobs and wrap each in plastic, then form into a bar shape and refridgerate to firm it up a bit, or just use a spatula to spread the entire mixture over a piece of waxed paper on a baking sheet. Refridgerate, and once it's firm, cut the resulting "megabar" into smaller pieces.

It's easy to think of other great combinations. I'm planning to try cranberry-apple, chocolate-coconut-almond, golden-raisin-pecan, and several others!