I had a funny conversation at the gym this morning - a girl next to me rolled her eyes at someone wearing a running skirt while... running on the treadmill. I countered with "what, you wouldn't wear one?" and she said no. I laughed and told her not to point and laugh if I ever show up in one! 😀
Our conversation continued to a more general skirt vs. pants topic, and while I wear pants, I would say I am definitely a skirt girl. My friend Jackie joked once that I would mow the lawn in a skirt... years ago when I lived alone I did mow the lawn, and it was often in a skirt! When I used to play tennis I loved my tennis skirts. I still wear them, and now I also have running skirts and dresses.
So, for my female readers out there (or kilt wearers!), are you more of a skirt or a pants person? Outside of what you may wear in a workday life, what do you normally tend to wear more?
I can definitely think of girls who I never see in a skirt, and people probably think the opposite of me!
Okay, such deep thoughts out of the way, 😉 let's move on to something I'm totally serious about. I am most definitely in that waiting for summertime mode, and these apricot bars definitely have a fresh and sunny flavor! With a total of six ingredients and no cooking, they are a quick way to something impressive.
apricot bars
sesame cashew crust
2 cups raw cashews
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Pulse cashews and sesame seeds in food processor; add coconut oil and blend until dough forms. Line 9X9 square baking dish with parchment, spread crust in even layer.
apricot filling
6 oz (1 bag) dried apricots
⅓ block tempeh
1 tablespoon agave
Pulse apricots and tempeh, add agave. Spread filling in even layer atop crust.
Refrigerate 1 hour before cutting in squares. Makes 9-16 squares, depending on serving size.
Running skirts - yes or no?
evy says
I am a skirts girl and wear skirts 99.9 percent of the time-love them. Walking, running, mowing the lawn, hiking, gardening, whatever... pretty, fun, comfortable, feminine....why not 🙂 Title Nine has super cute dresses/skirts/etc. !
Can't wait to make this recipe!
Kristina Sloggett says
when I used to mow the lawn I wore skirts too 😉 I LOVE Title Nine! Athleta too! hope you enjoy these bars, still one of my favorite recipes!
Grandma Wrinkles says
these are so delish, I made a double batch. you are right, summery!
DMW
Heidi says
I love this recipe! But do you have a suggestion for a substitute to the tempeh? I'm allergic to soy!
spabettie says
hello Heidi,
not sure about a sub for the tempeh, I have not tried this recipe with anything else. you could simply leave it out, it is a small amount and the fruit layer could work without it - might be a bit different in consistency but probably not a lot.
iDarla says
we made these today, brilliant thanks!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
BTW, I am assuming the tempeh is just "raw" out of the package...meaning it's been cooked/processed, but you did nothing special to it. Interesting...I would have thought the top layer to be much more crumbly than gooey given the ingredients but am pleasantly surprised at the gooeyness 🙂
spabettie says
yep - the tempeh is raw out of the package. I only used 1/3 a package, so the apricots in the f. processor really makes it gooey - its an awesome result!
Hollie says
I want to make these today, is there a sub for the tempeh? these look delicious and I hope you see this message very soon so I can make them, thanks!!!
francis says
these sound perfect! a great way to hold on to the sunny summer tastes as you said!! 🙂
Andi Wilson says
hi Kris!! I made these today (thank you for your thoughtful guidance earlier!) and we are IMPRESSED!! these really are incredibly delicious, "bright" is a great description like you said.
I am so happy I found your site and you, I feel I have a new online friend!!
-Andi
spabettie says
you are so very welcome, Andi! 😀 I appreciate our emails, they have been fun!