Saturday, December 1, 2007

Chewy Chocolate Cherry Bars


After purchasing some processed breakfast/snack bars on a recent trip to Tulsa, I came up with this to satisfy the family's tastes and my sensibilities:

2 cups old fashioned oats
2 cups rice crispies
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup dried cherries
1/4 cup coconut oil

syrup: 1/2 cup each organic honey, brown sugar and water. Heat on low until brown sugar is disolved. cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to condense slightly.

pulse oats and crisp rice cereal in food processor with metal blade briefly, you want some reduced to coarse meal but the rest to be whole. Add chocolate and cherries, pulse briefly. add oil and syrup. tiSr to combine. Spread on a greased cookie sheet to approximately 3/4 inch thickness. Smooth top and edges with spatula. (I used a half-sheet pan and it only filled 1/2 of it). Bake 300 degrees farenheit until just tacky on the surface, will vary with humidity. Possibly 15-20 minutes. cut with pizza cutter 1x2 or to desired size and remove to wire rack to cool. Will be chewy, but should stay in bar shape.

Oil and Vinegar herb salad dressing


1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 cup Soy or other neutral oil like canola
1/2 cup organic apple cider vinegar
dash soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1/2 teaspoon oregano, crushed
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon celery seeds or celery salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional, to taste)

Add or delete herbs and seasonings according to your tastes. Stores easily in a 16 oz squirt top plastic container from the restaurant supply store.