Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Goji-berries, also known as Chinese Wolfberry, grow on the common matrimony vine, a shrub up to 4m high.

The fruits can be harvested from August to October. The name "goji" is derived from the Chinese term "Ningxia gouqi", which apparently means something along of the lines of "from the region of Ningxia wolfberry". In China, they have been revered as a vitality and energy source for millennia.

Goji Berries are so good for you!

These amazing little berries are rich in high levels of iron including B12, vitamins and carotenoids (pro-vitamin A) B vitamins and other ingredients. Containing over 20 trace elements and minerals as well as all essential amino acids.

It is especially valued for its "adaptogenic effect" (promoting vitality and resistance to stress). They can be eaten raw or used in any recipe to enrich your meal.

Western medicine is only beginning to discover the goji berry. In traditional Chinese medicine, the goji berry has been used for a long time.

Nu3 recently sent me some to try and asked me to make a recipe and so here I've made Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars with Goji Berries!

I was really pleased with how well they turned out and if you keep them in a plastic airtight food container they should keep them for up to a week. They are far better than any you buy in a shop and of course, you can change the nut mixture to suit you. White chocolate goji berries and pistachios? Just a thought - but the combinations are endless.

Transfer the mixture into your lined pan then use the back of a large spoon to press the mixture into the pan. You need to press quite hard so that the bars will stay together once cooled and cut.

Scatter the remaining 2og of chocolate chips over the pressed mixture and use a rubber spatula to gently press them into the top.

Cover and pop into the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight and then lift the set mixture from the pan and peel off the grease-proof paper. Cut into either 12 long bars or 9 squares.

chewy chocolate chip granola bars, recipe,

breakfast, snack

English

Yield: 9-12

Author: Jan Bennett

Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Far better than any you buy in a shop and of course you can change the nut mixture to suit your taste.

Prep time: 10 Mininactive time: 4 HourTotal time: 4 H & 10 M

Ingredients

• 235g rolled oats
• 50g whole almonds - chopped
• 30g walnut pieces - chopped
• 40g dates - chopped
• 60g goji berries
• 85ml runny honey
• 60g unsalted butter
• 50g soft dark brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 90g milk chocolate chips - divided 70g and 20g

Instructions

1. Line bottom and sides of an 8-inch square pan with greaseproof paper smeared with a little butter.
2. Get a large frying pan and toast the oats, almonds and walnuts - keep stirring all the while so they don't burn. Keep stirring over medium-high heat until they start to toast and take on a bit of colour.
3. Once they are done tip them into a large mixing bowl.
4. In a medium-sized saucepan add the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla extract and salt. Stir to mix and cook to melt over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved.
5. Now pour the butter mixture into the bowl with toasted oats and nuts and mix well. Let it cool for a few minutes then add the dates and goji berries along with 70g of the chocolate chips.
6. Stir to mix - the chocolate chips will melt a bit but they will help to hold the bars together.
7. Transfer the mixture into your lined pan then use the back of a large spoon to press the mixture into the pan. You need to press quite hard so that the bars will stay together once cooled and cut.
8. Scatter the remaining 20g of chocolate chips over the pressed mixture and use a rubber spatula to gently press them into the top.
9. Cover and pop into the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
10. Lift the set mixture from the pan and peel off the greaseproof paper. Cut into either 12 long bars or 9 squares

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