As we welcome in the first few weeks of fall, it’s a good time to reflect upon the last season and welcome in a time of introspection and healing of the winter months. Choosing nutritious, fortifying and healing comfort foods that nourish and warm us, helps to avoid winter weight gain. With the holiday season in sight, many of us are inclined to temporarily nourish our temptations with sweet treats. These Apple energy bars have a hint of sweetness, coupled with fiber to help slow down sugar’s absorption process.
Hildegard’s Apple Energy Bars
Hildegard of Bingen believed spelt helps create a happy mind and brings joy to the heart. And along with slow, natural sugars found in the bar’s fruit, milk and maple syrup, our cravings are met while digested slowly and easily, without the harsh ups and downs sugar high give us.
Hildegard believed apples to be gently and easily digested, even eaten raw. The Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Clove (a combination she referred to as one that brings joy) in the recipe are known to help maintain a happy equilibrium, opening our hearts and purifying the senses.
These apple energy bars should be refrigerated or frozen to help them maintain their shape. They are wonderful for breakfast, or as an afternoon snack, and can be eaten with yogurt, milk, applesauce, or alone.
Ingredients: Spelt & Apple Energy Bars
- 2 cups Habermus or spelt grain
- 1 quart milk
- Lemon juice with grated lemon peel
- 1 pound apples, peeled or not peeled, finely chopped
- 2 eggs, separated
- Seasoning, Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Cloves
- 2 T maple syrup
- ¼ cup chopped almonds
- ½ cup raisins
- 2 T butter for greasing baking dish
Directions
Stir spelt or habermus into the boiling milk, bring to a boil, turn off the heat and allow to swell for 20-30 minutes. Stir in lemon peel, lemon juice, apples, egg yolks, raisins, almonds, seasoning and honey or sugar into the spelt mixture. Pour into a greased casserole dish, top with the stiffly beaten egg whites and bake at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
Cut up into bars, store in an airtight container in the freezer or refrigerator, separate each row with parchment paper.
Find more healthy recipes inspired by Hildegard of Bingen.
