Edible Paradise

These flavorful bars are a soft "power bar" with added crunchiness from nuts and seeds.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup whole raw almonds with skins
1/2 cup dried apricots
1/2 cup medjool dates, pitted
1/2 cup prunes, pitted
1/4 cup orange juice
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon chia seed
1/4 cup pepitas (raw pumpkin seeds)
1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds

METHOD:

Preheat oven to 300°F. Line an 8x8-inch square pan with foil.

Place the almonds, apricots, dates, and prunes in a food processor; pulse a few times until coarsely chopped. Add orange juice and salt; pulse until mixture starts to stick together. Add pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds, pulsing a few times just to incorporate.

Scoop mixture into prepared pan. Using a large square of wax paper or plastic wrap, evenly press mixture into pan, using your palms to flatten.

Bake 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely. Use ends of foil to lift bars from pan. Cut into 8 bars. Wrap each bar in plastic wrap and store in refrigerator.

YIELD: Makes 8 bars