Alpinemojo Power Bars

Posted by Roddy Willis on 15 December 2010

Being a life long ski addict, I have developed a number of little tricks to maintaining energy levels during a day out on the mountain, whilst also not spending a minor lottery win in one of the many fine mountain restaurants in Verbier.

To maintain my energy levels, I personally need to take onboard regular calories so as not to let me blood sugar levels drop, a mixture of fast and slow carbohydrates is the ideal mixture. Chocolate is great for an immediate energy boast but comes with the downside that the energy it gives you disappears as quickly as it appeared.

I have devised, what is in my mind, the perfect fuel to power my skiing, it’s an adaptation of a flap jack recipe, which can be created with the few cooking utensils provided by your average ski resort slum lord.

My recipe requires only one saucepan, a source of heat, a baking tray or similar, somewhere cold (fridge or cold window ledge) and the following ingredients, which is not a strict list, as the list changes with my taste and like skiing there is no one solution to suit my currently situation. So, maybe look upon my recipe as you might the Fundamental Elements, or the BASI Central Theme, which once mastered can be playfully adapted to suit your larder and pocket.

Ingredients

160 ml Golden Syrup (honey is a good substitute)
160 g Sugar (brown unrefined sugar is my current favourite)
200 g Butter

170 g Rolled Oats
150 g Desiccated Coconut
160 g Walnuts, Hazelnuts or any other nuts you might have to hand.
80 g Cornflakes (I have tried Special K which went sloppy and rather nasty)
180 g Dry fruit (chopped dates and apricots are great)

Method

Line baking tray with cling film or baking paper.

Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl making sure it is evenly mixed.

Place the golden syrup, sugar and butter in a saucepan and heat gently until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved.

Add the golden syrup butter sugar mix to the dry ingredients and gently mix until it is consistent.

Spoon the mixture into the lined baking try and compress with the back of a spoon. Cover and place in a cold place over night. Cut into tasty squares. Yummy.

If you have a favourite mountain snack or have made similar power bars, then let us know about them in the comments, if you book Roddy for a full day during winter 10/11 he'll gladly make you a similar treat for you when requested in advance.