I tend to cook and bake using whole, natural ingredients. I've been on a mission to remove processed white flour and sugars from our diet. I follow a pretty clean diet although I do enjoy salt n' vinegar potato chips and good dark chocolate. Genetically modified foods are a soap box issue for me. I believe food that comes out of a box, bag or some kind of elaborate container is really just science and I choose not to eat it (as much as possible).
Feel free to tweak recipes as you see fit (I do it all the time!). Please comment on the blog or email me if you have any questions.
Cheers!
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Rhubarb Oatmeal Bars
I got this recipe off of Food.com but I tweaked it so much that it really doesn't resemble the original. I love Rhubarb and when it comes up in my garden I make sure to make this bar. My family loves it and a 9x13 pan doesn't last long around here. It's a great way to use a lot of Rhubarb and frozen works just fine too (drain the excess moisture though before starting the filling).
Makes 24 bars using a 9x13 inch pan
Crust
1 cup chopped walnuts (or sub your favorite nut)
2 cups Rolled Oats
1 cup cane or Muscovado sugar
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup white flour
1 cup butter
Filling
5 cups chopped rhubarb
1 cup cane or Muscovado sugar (I've also used honey)
2 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp water
1 tsp vanilla
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. For the Crust combine all the ingredients until crumbly.
3. Put half the crust into a lightly greased 9x13 pan (sometimes I use parchment paper) and pat firmly. Bake for about 15 minutes or until slightly browned.
4. Meanwhile put all the filling ingredients in a pot except the vanilla and over med-high heat bring the sauce to a boil, stirring constantly. When the sauce is thickened stir in vanilla.
5. Pour sauce over the baked crust and top with the remaining crumb mixture.
6. Bake for 20 more minutes.
7. Cool (I place in freezer for 20 minutes) and slice into bars.
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Blueberry Cleanse Smoothie
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup mango chunks (or peaches)
1 cup almond milk
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp ground flax seeds
1 cup packed fresh spinach
1 scoop protein powder
Blend all together in blender until pureed. Fills a pint mason jar (or 2 cups).
You could use agave syrup to sweeten if you want but I found it sweet enough.
Oh, you'll really have to brush your teeth after this smoothie!
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White Wine Sangria
1 cup chopped fruit (we used strawberries, blueberries, a small nectarine, lemon and lime slices)
3 tbsp sugar
1/4 cup Grand Marnier
2 bottles dry white wine
I always add more fruit than this recipe calls for and you can sub whatever you have, citrus is lovely and raspberries too.
Mix the first 3 ingredients together and let marinate for a few hours, stirring every so often.
Add wine and stir. Pour into lovely glasses with ice and enjoy!
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