By: Amie Valpone, HHP, AADP Nutritionist and author of The Healthy Apple, www.thehealthyapple.com
- 3/4 stick butter
- 3/4 cup Lundberg Family Farms® Brown Rice Syrup
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 3 Tbsp. sesame seeds
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 1/8 tsp. sea salt
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- Almond Butter Sauce (recipe below)
- 1/2 tsp. olive oil
Preheat the oven to 325° F. Spray a baking pan with nonstick baking spray. Line the bottom and two sides with parchment paper. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter with the Lundberg® Brown Rice Syrup and brown sugar; cook over moderate heat, for approximately 5 minutes. Stir in the oats, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, sea salt and chili powder; cook for approximately 2 minutes. Transfer batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven; set aside to cool. Remove the entire square from the pan by lifting the parchment paper. Slice into bars. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dip the bottom half of each bar into the almond butter sauce (twice to ensure a thick coat) and set the bars on the baking sheet. Refrigerate until the almond butter is set.
Almond Butter Sauce
- 3/4 cup almond butter
- 1/4 cup lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 tsp. white balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp. Lundberg Family Farms® Brown Rice Syrup
- 1 Tbsp. warm water
- 1/4 cup cilantro, minced
- 1 clove garlic, pressed
- 2 tsp. fresh ginger, minced
- 1/4 tsp. chili powder
- 1/8 tsp. cinnamon
In a food processor, combine nut butter, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, Lundberg® Brown Rice Syrup and water; pulse until smooth. Add cilantro, garlic, ginger, chili powder and cinnamon; continue to pulse until mixture forms a smooth and creamy consistency.