Blueberry Almond Butter-Oats Bar.Agave Nectar,the Low GI Sweetener


The best part of the summers are the surplus gorgeous berries,melons and stone fruits brimming in the local markets,all at affordable prices.After picking your favorite kind of berries ,how do you use up these delicate fruit with short shelf life before spoiling?I say,make preserves that can go great on a toast ,biscuits or for baking. Or enjoy them whole in a cooling yogurt smoothie ,blend it in the Nature's best drink,parfait,fruity pancakes or sprinkle over the morning bowl of cereal.


I've made bars before with whole oats,for this recipe I use ground oats and didn't use any wheat flour keeping them gluten-free bars.With crumbly texture, blueberry filling and soft almond butter topping these were totally enjoyable.You could even use mangoes or plums or which ever fruit is in season in your part of the world.

Agave Nectar,the Low GI Sweetener
I use Agave Nectar as a sweetener.Agave is extracted from the heart of the agave plant.It is a low glycemic sweetener,best suited for diabetics,as it is slowly absorbed in to the body preventing spikes in blood sugar.It is 25% sweeter than sugar,so you need less.The sweet mild taste is perfect for sweetening beverages,baking and as a multipurpose sweetener.Read more more other natural sweeteners with low GI in my post here.Agave is available in many natural food stores,I bought mine from Costco.

Recipe
Ingredients
For Blue Berry Filling
3 cups Fresh blueberries
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water.

For Bottom Oatmeal layer
2 cups Whole rolled oats
1/4 cup Flax seed meal
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon Olive oil or vegetable oil
1 Organic egg (Vegans could replace with 1/2 cup applesauce or tofu)
1/4 cup Agave or 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup reduced fat milk or soy milk

For Top Almond Butter Layer
1/2 cup Almond butter
1/2 cup whole rolled oats
2 teaspoon Agave or 1 tablespoon sugar

*If you can't use almond butter,use 1/2 cup roasted ground almonds,blend with 3-4 tablespoon of water to smooth paste .


Method
Prepare the filling by Cooking the berries and water,until bubbly and soft,then mix in the cornstarch dissolved in water,stir constantly until thickened.Let cool.

Grind the oats used in both the layers to a coarse mixture in a food processor or blender.Grind together then measure and use separately.Approximately 3/4th for the bottom layer and rest for the top layer.

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 8X8 inch baking dish with oil or line with parchment paper.

Mix the bottom layer in medium bowl,whip egg or tofu with agave or sugar,then stir in rest of the ingredients.Spread evenly on the bottom of the baking dish,next spread the blueberry filling.
In the same bowl mix the ground oats ,almond butter and sugar.Spread over the blueberry filling using a spatula or with fingers.
Bake in the middle rack of the oven,for about 25-30 minutes until the top is nice and brown.Cool completely and cut in to squares.Enjoy these nutritious bars with morning or evening cuppa tea or coffee .

These bars are my entry for Heart of the Matter : Best of June's produce

Comments

Smitha said…
WOW Wow Zarina! you have a great blog.I'm gonna be visiting often :D
Justin said…
these look more delicious than nutritious...
Gita Jaishankar said…
Wow...they look so delicious and luscious with all the berries...thanks for the information about agave nectar Yasmeen...I have been trying to find them for quite sometime...I couldnt see it even in Wegmans...Agave nectar is on my list when we go to Costco again for monthly gorcery :)
umm muhammad said…
yum! great recipe blueberries are my favorite. great info too, I like to learn different ways of cooking,thanks
Manju said…
with berries here everywhere..an extra recipe is always welcome..the bars look really delicious!
Jessica said…
plentiful and blessed...the berry bars look awesome
Richa said…
it is awesome that you always come up with healthy and organic alternative ingredients. i am a berry fan and not so much a sugar one and i have been using honey and maple syrup in most of my bread recipes.. i should look up agave on my next costco trip. keep up the good work!
Varsha Vipins said…
aww..first pic is so aesthetic dr..n lovely bars..have to hunt for agave nectar next time..:)
Yasemin said…
Ha ha I was trying to figure out a way to use a bunch of frozen blueberries that didn't include yet another smoothie. Yay! Love you lots and much appreciated!
Sharmila said…
They do look delicious Yasmeen! Good one. :-)
wow that looks so delicious..different kind of nectar...
Ayesha said…
The first pic. is simply brilliant.I don't have an oven dear nor do we get these kind of berries here,guess I enjoy these just visually ;)
Anonymous said…
The picture of berries make me crazy dear..Such a helathy recipe too..what a combo..Lemme try with some berries too.exceptionally good Yasmeen !!
CurryLeaf said…
Wow I love blueberries and this is a perfect dish.Never worked with almond butter.Another healthy dish from you.
VineelaSiva said…
Nice dish never tried these types of dishes.
Preeti Singh said…
Those are healthy and delicious looking....feel like try them now only...great sharing..
LifenSpice said…
looks delicious and are healthy too! I always buy these berries in summer, but sometimes end up spoiling a few of them.This one is a good idea...
Priya Suresh said…
Wowow looks too good and healthyy!
Parita said…
Wow looks berilicious!! I havent used agave nectar, got to hunt it down :)
Yasmeen....this is great! I have never used Agave...but it sure looks luscious....waiting to try these soon :)
Unknown said…
looks so delicious..
Raks said…
Excellent pictures first of all,Yasmeen:)

Oats bar sounds so healthy and filling for BF!!
Anonymous said…
Scrumptious blueberry bars! I love that you used agave here!
Sia said…
Yasmeen, they look simple gorgeous!
Kalaivani said…
Healthy and delicious bars.
Sam said…
Love the crumbly texture of the bars...sounds perfect with my cuppa coffee.
shri said…
Loved your Bar..Such a healthy version,yet looks so delicious!
Pooja said…
Looks so delicious Yasmeen!! I love blueberries and the addition to any dish makes it so nutritious!
Ann said…
yasmeen, this sounds soo good, I have to try it with Stevia, I dont have Agave :) will let u know the result :)
Simmi said…
Too goo ji,tussi great ho :p
Simmi said…
Too goo ji,tussi great ho :p
Nithya said…
Its very very tempting and delicious.

Here for the first time and sure you blog will keep calling me back. :)


Do take a look at my blogs when you find time.
Anonymous said…
Fantastic recipe and blog! Your recipes really appeal to me and my clients. I'll be following you! Thanks for the nice comment you posted on my site!
All the best, HannahBanana aka Amanda
www.dosesofnourishment.blogpspot.com
Unknown said…
Thanks for all those berry smart ideas :D
Indian Khana said…
That's wonderful..looks delish....yum
Ivy said…
I am so jealous we don't get any blueberries here in Athens. The berry bars are not only healthy but delicious as well.
Judy said…
These look yummy. I love oats and blueberries.
Hey yasmeen,
Where did u get this agave nectar from??? Is it available in whole foods market?
Your recipes rock. I have recommended your blog to a very good friend of mine, who was looking for healthy recipes.
I'm sure she'll be bowled over :)
Lisa Turner said…
Brilliant. Love the use of almond butter in these bars!
Even when being health conscious, I think we need to give ourselves a treat like this sometimes so this is great. I mean what's life without sweet treats like this?

Problem I'd have is having any blueberries leftover to ever make this. I love them so much I eat them like popcorn. :D
Talita said…
Yummm!! This sounds amazing! I love fruit bars!
Anonymous said…
It was certainly interesting for me to read the post. Thanx for it. I like such topics and anything that is connected to this matter. I would like to read a bit more soon.
Sashi said…
Hi Yasmeen, First time here. these look delicious.Blueberries are one of my favs. Drop @ http://sashirecipes.com sometime when u find time.
Anonymous said…
Hello Yasmeen, I found your site recently and visit often. I love your recipes and adapt them to my needs. Just wanted to make a comment here as it would affect celiacs. Oats is not gluten free, research is currently being conducted to determine if oats can be categorised as gluten free, but as of now Celiacs are allergic to it.
Could you laso pls. advise if stevia can be used in place of agave nectar? Thnx
Anonymous said…
Many thanks. Wonderful article. Has been looking for time. Longing for far more weblogs by you later on.
Anonymous said…
For sure everyone!! This is certainly the most fascinating content My partner and i ever before read through! Worth finding out about. Keep writing.
Anonymous said…
Wow, decent contribution. Thanks for expressing this things. I really get pleasure from it

Contact Health Nut

Name

Email *

Message *