RED QUINOA BARS

Got this recipe from my daughter. I must admit i was not really enthused when she told me that she's bringing home some quinoa bars. Now don't get me wrong, i love quinoa, i've always cooked them savory, soup or a side dish but never as a sweet treat!

Oh they are good not to mention healthy=;) For more quinoa "fyi" and nutritional value check it HERE .

I made some tweaking to the original recipe. My changes will be in bold letters.

Ingredients:

2 C water
1 C quinoa-well rinsed (I USED THE RED QUINOA)
1/2 - 3/4 C dark brown sugar
1 C rice flour
1 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t ground cloves
1/4 t fresh grated nutmeg
1 t anise seeds ground
1/2 C raisins (I ADDED 1/2 C OF GOLDEN RAISINS )
1/2 C chopped dried dates and apricots ( I USED 1 C DRIED MANGOES)
1/2 C walnuts- toasted and skinned (I USED MIXED NUTS-WALNUTS, HAZEL NUTS, ALMONDS)
3 1/2 oz. apple sauce
1/2 C fresh orange juice
2 t vanilla extract
3 3/4 t egg replacer mixed with 6 T water (I USED 1 EGG)

1. Bring the water to a boil and add the quinoa cover and cook over low heat till water is absorbed. About 15 minutes, remove, cool and fluff.

2. Mix the sugar, flour, powder, soda, spices, nuts and fruits.

3. Add the cooked quinoa. Mix the applsesauce, egg (beaten), orange juice and vanilla then add to the dry. Mix well.

4. Place mixture in a sprayed 2" deep 1/2 hotel pan or if you want them thinner you can bake them on a sheet pan.

5. Bake in a 350 degrees F oven till a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pan then cut into squares.

6. Serve with some homemade ice cream if you want.

7. You can increase some of the fruits and nuts if you want a denser bar, but be careful not to make it too sweet.

UNCOOKED RED QUINIOA

COOKED RED QUINOA

BARS FRESH OFF THE OVEN

I HONESTLY PREFER THE DRIED MANGOES AS OPPOSED TO THE DRIED DATES AND APRICOTS.