Raw Mango and Cashew Energy Bars

When the Typikon prescribes xerophagy — the strictest fasting level, with no cooked food, no oil, no wine — you need calorie-dense foods that require no cooking and travel well. These no-cook bars pack dried mango, cashews, dates, and shredded coconut into a chewy, sweet, portable form that sustains you through long days of prayer and work.

They take five minutes to make, keep for weeks, and provide the fats, sugars, and protein that strict fasting days demand. Make a batch at the start of Holy Week and you are set.

FASTING LEVEL: Xerophagy (no cooked food, no oil, no wine — all ingredients are raw or dried)

SERVINGS: 8 bars
TIME: 10 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)

INGREDIENTS:
- 150 g dried mango, roughly chopped (unsweetened if possible, but sweetened works)
- 150 g raw cashews
- 120 g Medjool dates (about 6-8), pitted
- 50 g unsweetened shredded coconut, plus extra for rolling
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (optional)

METHOD:
1. Place the cashews in a food processor and pulse 8-10 times until you have a rough, uneven crumb. Some pieces should be powder, others should be chunky. Do not process to a butter. Remove and set aside.
2. Add the dates to the food processor and process until they form a sticky paste, about 30 seconds.
3. Add the dried mango, shredded coconut, lemon juice, salt, and ginger (if using). Process until the mango is finely chopped and the mixture is well combined but still has visible texture, about 20 seconds.
4. Add the cashew crumbs back in. Pulse 5-6 times to combine. The mixture should hold together when pressed between your fingers. If it is too dry, add another date or a teaspoon of water.
5. Turn the mixture out onto a sheet of parchment paper. Press into a rectangle about 20 cm x 15 cm and 2 cm thick. Sprinkle the top with extra shredded coconut and press it in lightly.
6. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm. Cut into 8 bars.
7. Wrap individually in parchment or store in an airtight container. Keep refrigerated for up to 3 weeks, or at room temperature for up to 1 week.

NOTES:
- All ingredients are raw or dried and require no cooking — this is fully xerophagy-compliant.
- Cashews provide about 18 g of protein per 100 g and are one of the best protein sources available during xerophagy.
- Dates act as the binding agent. Medjool dates are softer and stickier than Deglet Noor — they work better here.
- You can substitute other dried fruits (apricots, figs, cranberries) for the mango, but mango gives the best chewy texture and tropical sweetness.
- These bars are calorie-dense by design — roughly 250 calories each. During strict fasting, you need that density.
- For variety, add a tablespoon of raw cacao nibs or a handful of raw pumpkin seeds.

NUTRITION (per bar, approximate):
Calories: 245 | Protein: 5 g | Carbohydrates: 34 g | Fat: 11 g | Fibre: 3 g