Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Cashew Cookie Larabar Recipe


Which is mine and which is an original larabar???
Ah yes larabars.  I eat at least one of these incredibly delicious and scrumptious guys everyday.  They get expensive.  Making these seems easy, but to be honest....not so.  I understand now why they are $1.69/bar.  I used certified organic ingredients and the recipe yielded 7 bars for probably about 4.50 - 5 bucks.  If you use regular, non-organic ingredients, I'm sure this would be maybe 3 dollars for all 7 of them.  The recipe is very easy, it will just take patience for the right consistency.  I'm certain with each batch this will get easier.  So the GOOD NEWS.....they are fresh, creamy, delicious and organic!  After I made Cashew Cookie, I made the Chocolate Chip.  MMMMMMM!!  ENJOY!

Cashew Cookie Larabar Recipe
1 1/3 cup pitted dates (24 dates)
1/2 cup cashews
2/3 cup cashews

Add dates and 1/2 cup cashews to a high powered processor, such as a vita mix.  If using your vita mix, start the blending at a 7 until well chopped.  Reduce speed to a 3.  Allow to chop for several minutes until a giant ball is formed.  This will be the consistency of peanut butter.   (This part is tricky.  I burned the motor twice.  Make sure to look for the tell-tale signs your mixer is over heating - smell and heat.  Periodically turn your mixer off for a few minutes.)  Remove from vita mix and set aside in a medium bowl.   In a food processor, chop 2/3 cup cashews until small pieces remain.  Add to date mixture and knead with hands until well incorporated.  On a cutting board roll out or push out mixture until the desired thickness is reached.  I used a larabar as a template.  Trim sides to create a rectangle/square.  Cut into desired length and width.  Again I used a larabar as a template.  Take remaining pieces, knead and roll/press out again until all the bars are made and there is no mixture left.  Wrap in wax paper and store in the fridge.  ENJOY!!

Chopped Cashews

dates and cashews

with cashew pieces kneaded in

pressed out

trimmed up

ta-da!

sadly dates look like bugs or poop....i tried to make this pretty, lol

Grain/Gluten-Free Vegan Caprese Salad



I was missing mozzarella.  I have tomatoes and just made pesto.  What to do?  Ah yes...cashews!  This was incredible....it has definitely become a favorite.

Grain/Gluten-Free Vegan Caprese Salad
1 cup sliced tomatoes - ( I used grape and cherry)
1/2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1/4 teaspoon Herb Stop's Nutritional Yeast
1/8 teaspoon Herb Stop's Garlic Granules
2 Tablespoons Cashew halves/pieces
2 Tablespoons Perfect Vegan Pesto

In a small bowl mix oil, yeast and garlic.  Add cashews and mix until well coated.  Add pesto and mix until cashews are well coated.  Add tomatoes and gently toss until coated.  ENJOY!!!

oil mix

tossed cashews

tossed pesto

ta-da!

served with some steamed veggies