Friday, January 21, 2011

A bar by any other name will taste as sweet

As I was digging through my recipe box the other day, I ran across a recipe for "Ooey Gooey Karo Bars", which was given to me by a co-worker long ago. I was very excited to use the recipe, because I remembered how good they were when she brought them to work!

I was explaining them to my husband and he also got excited. They were just like the bars that his mom had made when he was younger, except she called them "Oh Henry" bars.
He strongly endorsed them.

As I gathered the ingredients, I glanced on the back of the rice crispies box and noticed a recipe for "Chocolate Scotcheroos" (which were essentially the same as the bars I was going to make.)

So I guess American culture has not settled on a proper name for these treats, but no matter......they are so good, they almost don't need a name! They are so delicious and so easy to make, I think they should be called "little bits of heaven" bars. ;-)

"Whatever-Ya-Wanna-Call-'Em" Bars

1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1/2 t. salt
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup oatmeal
2 cups any flake cereal
2 cups crispy rice cereal
3/4 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup butterscotch chips

1. Pour corn syrup, sugar and salt into a large saucepan. Stir over medium high heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture begins to boil.

2. Stir in peanut butter and keep stirring until melted. Remove from heat and stir in oatmeal, flakes and crispy rice cereal.

3. Pour into greased 8-inch square pan and set aside.


4. Melt chocolate chips in small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Spread over bars.


5. Let sit for an hour or two until chocolate hardens on top. Serve!
(This was all that was left after a day in our house.....)

Let me know what name you come up with after eating them!

Show me the.....food

As much as I love reading food blogs, sometimes they all start to blur together. Their recipes are great, but you kinda get the same vibe from every one.

So I am always on the search for "original" ones....ones that have a different take or a different story. And they have to take great foodie pictures...that is a requirement!

This is one of those. Their story is cute and their pictures are yummy! Check it out....

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Free to be a stalker

I am so excited because this woman is coming to my city.

My excitement level is pretty much at the same degree that it would be if my long-lost twin who I was separated from at birth was coming to town. Seriously.....I think about her arrival almost every day. I know...go ahead and say it....

I have a sad, small little life.
("You're a sad, strange little man"....what movie?)

I need to get out more.

I need to find some more heroes.

Blah, blah, blah.....I am still excited.

And you would be too if you:

a) homeschooled your children
b) babysat other people's children
c) sat at home all day long
d) liked to cook but had no creativity

And maybe that IS you. If so, you completely understand my maniacal excitement and you feel like hugging me in empathy.

To top it all off, she is coming to one of my fave bookstores in the heart of downtown Denver (which happens to be one of my favorite places to spend time.) So you can *kinda* see why I am so excited, can't you? If not, please do not mock openly. Just feel bad for me in the quietness of your own home. ;-)

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Something borrowed....

....something yummy!
No, this isn't a wedding post--it's just about me, getting recipes off of my friends and then sharing the wealth.

My friend Sandra is one of the most amazing people I know. She is the mother of 7, a faithful wife, and an awesome cook. And by cook I don't mean "makes a few good dishes". I mean, "makes her own bread, yogurt, hummus, etc. as well as good food"! I am slowly gleaning food wisdom from her, and hope to be as "pure" of a cook as her someday. I am sure her children are almost completely free of preservatives. :-)

One of the recipes I asked her to share with me is for her ranch dip/dressing. It is absolutely amazing, and I always eat an embarrassing amount when she brings it to church gatherings or serves it at her house. Now that I have the recipe, I can eat that much in the solitude of my own home. Kidding! (ok, not really....I am serious)

So without further rambling, here is the awesome recipe. Enjoy!


*Sandra's Dip-Dressing*

1 cup minced onion (the dry variety)
1/2 cup parsley flakes
1/4 cup dill weed (dry)
1/4 cup salt
1 T. garlic powder

Mix this all up and store in an airtight container.

To make dip/dressing:

Mix 2 T. dry mix with 1 cup mayo and 1 cup sour cream or plain yogurt. To use as dressing, thin with several tablespoons of milk.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Back by popular demand....

This morning, I posted a picture on Facebook of my favorite muffins. I got several requests for the recipe (which I had shared a year or two ago on my other blog), but I decided to re-post it on here today.

These muffins are perfect....hearty, easy to make, and kid-friendly. :-) Enjoy!

{Oatmeal-Cranberry Muffins}

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup chopped dried fruit (I typically use craisins, but you can use apricots, raisins, etc.)
1/2 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup boiling water
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup milk
2 t. grated orange peel, optional

In a bowl, combine the first four ingredients. In another bowl, combine the oats, fruit, butter and boiling water; stir until butter is melted. Cool for 5 minutes.
Stir in eggs, milk and orange peel if desired. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-22 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.
Yield: 1-1/2 dozen