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These Fruit and Nut Bars
are decidedly different from the other bars and squares on the site. Crisp and
chewy in texture, they are full of dried fruits (cherries, dates, and
apricots) and nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans, or hazelnuts), that are held
together with a batter that contains no butter or oil, just one beaten egg. These make a healthy to-go
breakfast, a great snack to pack in lunchboxes, or they would be perfect to take along on your next picnic or hike. The added bonus is that they will keep for
several weeks when stored in the refrigerator.
This Fruit and Nut Bar recipe calls for dried cherries, dates, and
apricots. Now, don't feel you have to follow this recipe
exactly, as you can vary the dried fruit and even the nuts as per your own
preferences. Just keep the amounts the same; that is, 3 cups of dried
fruits and 1 1/2 cups of nuts. Dried fruits have come a long way in recent years in both availability and
quality. We are no longer limited to just dried dates and raisins. Today we
are offered apricots, apples, pears, cherries,
cranberries, strawberries, and even blueberries and raspberries. But there are a few things to keep in mind when buying dried
fruits. First, try to buy in bulk from a grocery store or natural food
store that has a high turnover. Not only will the fruit be fresher, but you
can see, smell, feel, and often taste the fruit to make sure it is
fresh and of high quality. Pre-packaged fruit can also be excellent but it
is harder to tell the quality of the fruit through the plastic bag. Make
sure to check the expiration date on the bag. Always
look for dried fruit that is plump, moist, and has good color. Never buy
fruit that is dried out or moldy. There is a debate about whether to
buy 'sulphured' or 'unsulphured' dried fruits. Some like to buy 'sulphured'
which means that it has been treated with a sulphur dioxide solution. This
preserves the fruit's bright color and makes the fruit very soft and moist. The downside is
that some people can taste the preservative while others are allergic. Of
course, 'unsulphured' means it has not been treated before it is dried and
some say the flavor of untreated dried fruits is far superior. The downside is
that the fruit's color may be slightly faded looking, especially
dried fruits (like apples, pears, and bananas) that oxidize
quickly.
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