Fuaki W' Jauz, Middle Eastern Fruit and Nut Bars **RECIPE**

I remember how much my grandmother loved dried fruits and nuts. Sitto would always reach for this healthier snack. Maybe it was because they were so plentiful in the Middle East. She’d smile with delight when offered a tray of assorted fruits and nuts.

These days, after seeing the number of protein bars on the market, I thought that I’d try to make a healthy homemade fruit and nut bar myself. I like the idea of making them with my favorite dried fruits and nuts…not to mention sometimes adding different ones each time I make these.

Give this a try. You’ll enjoy how portable, healthy and delicious these bars are to tuck into a backpack or purse.

Middle Eastern Fruit and Nut Bars

1 Cup Whole Raw Almonds

1/2 Cup Walnuts or Pecans

1/2 Cup Dried Apricots, quartered

1/2 Cup Pitted Dates, halved

1/2 Cup Golden Raisins

1/2 Cup Dried Cherries

1 Tablespoon Cinnamon

1/2 Teaspoon ground Ginger

1/8 Teaspoon ground Nutmeg

1/8 Teaspoon ground cardamom

1-2 Teaspoons Date Syrup

Parchment Paper

Place the almonds in a food processor and pulse until they are chopped. Then add the other nuts, dried fruits and spices and process until the nuts and fruits are blended. Then add the 1 to 2 teaspoons of date syrup, mixing in until it sticks together. Taste in between teaspoons to determine sweetness and add less or more, depending on your preference.

Prepare an oblong baking dish or casserole dish, approximately 7 x 11 or a 9 x 5 loaf pan, lined with an overhang of parchment paper on each side to allow removal.

Spoon in the mixture and press to fit the dish. Add another sheet of parchment on top and with a spatula or small roller, press down the mixture to flatten and even it out. Discard the top sheet.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

Lift the parchment out and place on a flat surface to cut the mixture into bars. Cover the remaining bars with plastic wrap. They will keep for up to 2 weeks refrigerated.

Cook’s Notes: The size of the dish will determine how thick the bars will be.

Any combination of dried fruits and nuts may be used, depending upon your likes. Try to use unsweetened dried fruits for a healthier mixture. The spices may also be your own choice. 

Adding up to ½ cup of additional nuts (peanuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios) will lessen the sweetness and may be more to your liking. 

When serving the bars, a slather of Labneh, yogurt cheese, or cream cheese on top makes it decadent and even more delicious!