Thursday, March 29, 2012

No Bake Granola Bars





Annie and I made these yesterday and they are delicious!!! I love that you can basically start with the base and add whatever you want to them. We just did raisins and walnuts... yum! Next time I think we may do apricot/almond/coconut! 



ANY FRUIT & ANY NUT NOCOOK CHEWY BARS

1/3 cup each coarse chopped almonds and pecans (or any nut /nuts you choose)- you can also omit
1/2 cup honey**
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup dried apricots, prunes, figs or medjool dates
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup shredded coconut (optional)
1/2 cup dried cranberries, raisins or other dried berries
** You can substitute fruit puree, maple syrup, brown rice syrup or natural sweetener of your choice

1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Spread nuts on a baking sheet and toast 8 ‐10 mins until light brown (optional- or buy already toasted)
2. Warm honey until thin consistency (if honey is viscous). In processor, add oats, dates (or prunes etc), cinnamon and honey. Pulse until dates are chopped and oats are incorporated
3. Scrape mixture into a medium bowl, add in remaining dried ingredients and using damp hands incorporate the ingredients together
4. Turn the oat mixture out onto a baking sheet lined with wax or parchment paper. Using damp hands press the mixture out into an approx 6 x 12” rectangle. You can also roll between two sheets of parchment paper. Place in freezer for 30‐40 minutes
5. Turn rectangle out onto cutting board and cut into 16 squares. Can refreeze or chill
Source: Sunset Magazine (adapted)



Enjoy!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Italian Sloppy Chicken Joes



I tried this out today and wow, it was good!!! I sort of stumbled upon it too. I had some leftover baked goat cheese (you know the yummy kind you get in tapas restaurants?) and thought about throwing in some chicken. Mmm, mmm tasty! This is really easy and fast in a pinch!

Italian Sloppy Chicken Joes

1 cup marinara sauce
3-4 tbs goat cheese
1 cup cooked chicken (shredded)
Pesto (optional)
Whole wheat bread/ buns

Heat the first 3 ingredients together in the microwave until warm. Spread a thin layer of pesto on your bread/ bun. Top with chicken mixture and enjoy!