GOOEY CARAMEL CHOCOLATE BARS with BUCKWHEAT

Last night I dreamt I was in Hawaii (albeit my unconscious mind’s own version) on a boardwalk in the ocean. I found a forest of wild fruit and was so overjoyed I started crying and fell over. There was papaya, mango, orange, pear, grapefruit and more. Good dream.

Now I just wanna look at postings for places to rent in Hawaii on craigslist. Sigh.

I can’t really complain though. Here in the pacific northwest we have our own edible, sweet goodies: apples, berries, plums, peaches, grapes, pears, melons, kiwi(!?), and drum roll please… *HEIRLOOM TOMATOES*. I admit I get hung up on the grass on the other side of the fence, but the eatable plant scene in BC is nothing to be sad about. This summer I am planning on foraging my ass off in the urban landscape. I watched a documentary called Fruit Hunters (recommended by a reader!) awhile ago and it got me so pumped about searching for edible plants in my own city. I got into city fruit foraging at the very end of summer last year so I could only go out one time; but it was dreamy. I found figs, prunes and kousa dogwood tree berries. I used fallingfruit.org to find everything.

It’s definitely an addicting hobby (or I am just strange) because I get thrilled when I think about getting out on my bike again, with a backpack and a map showing where all the spots are I can find wild edible plants. And I mean, this is just in the CITY, when I imagine being in the north (way rural) or going to a tropical region, my heart starts skipping beats.

Now switching to a totally unrelated topic, this recipe! Yeah. None of the ingredients are locally foraged. Mais c’est la vie, non? That doesn’t change the fact that they taste like a raw vegan caramel chocolate orgy in your mouth. You might ask: but how would you know what that tastes like!? I know because I have experienced it. With these bars. Improve your day / life and make them now! They only take a few minutes to make, then you just gotta freeze ‘em til they get nice gooey and sticky and cold… aaaaand the final step: annihilate with your mouth. Awesome facts about da barz: they are no-bake, vegan, gluten-free, nut-free (if ya want), coconut-free, and refined, processed crap-free.

Jack is more eloquent that I am and he says: “These melt in your mouth bars are very rich in flavour and can pacify anyone’s ever-craving sweet tooth.”

So there you have it. These are peace-loving chocolate bars. WUT IS THERE NOT 2 LUV?

GOOEY CARAMEL CHOCOLATE BARS with BUCKWHEAT

Crust:
1 cup buckwheat groats
1 cup dates
1/4 cup water

Caramel:
1 1/2 cups dates
1/4 cup almond butter
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Chocolate:
1 1/2 cups dates
1 heaping tablespoon cacao powder
1 tablespoon almond butter
1/4 cup water

Add ons:
Sea salt
Sesame seeds

To make the crust: soak the buckwheat groats in water for 30 minutes, then rinse and dehydrate until they are dry again. I threw mine in the oven at 150 degrees for 2 hours. Then grind the dried buckwheat into flour in a food processor or blender. Add the dates, then add water as needed until you get a dough mixture that holds its shape when you press it together (in other words: not too crumbly). Press into the bottom of a lined 9X9 baking pan and put in the fridge.

To make the caramel: blend all the ingredients until smooth, adding water as needed until you get a very thick yogurt consistency that holds its shape. Spread evenly onto your crust and put in the freezer.

To make the chocolate layer: follow the same instructions as for the caramel layer, and spread on top of the caramel. Sprinkle on a little sea salt if desired (do it.) then leave in the freezer for at least 4 hours or until they have hardened up. Gently slice and serve with some sesame seeds on top.

ADAPTIONS: use tahini instead of almond butter to make them nut-free, use vanilla powder instead of vanilla extract, use rolled oats instead of buckwheat groats, use carob or cocoa powder instead of cacao powder.

GOOEY CARAMEL CHOCOLATE BARS with BUCKWHEAT

Daily Inspiration for living your Ultimate Life!

Source: http://vividlife.me/ultimate/50219/gooey-caramel-chocolate-bars-with-buckwheat/