Granola bars are a mainstay here. No time for breakfast? Granola bars. Mom, I need a snack? Granola bars. You can pack them and take where ever you are going and they are filling. They are also easy to make. I dislike hard, break your teeth granola bars so I was pretty psyched when Smitten Kitchen blogged about making some.
Sadly, something went awry and while they were pretty good, my kids have been snacking on it all day, it was not the soft chewy bar I was hoping for. I think part of the problem is that I do not use high fructose corn syrup : ( and that may have been the “glue” that would have made these bars chewier. I added more honey to substitute for the corn syrup, I added raisins, shredded coconut and sunflower seeds and I should say that I do like it but it is crunchier than I hoped.
Here is the recipe in case you would like to try your hand at it. I am sure it was just me and too many substitutions. Seriously, Smitten Kitchen can do no wrong in my book : )
I woke up thinking that winter is around the corner and my baby needs a new hat. I have been planning on a pixie type hat and woke up thinking “pixie balaclava” so I have been working on it every minute that I get. I have been hanging onto a few balls of wool cotton blend yarn that I can use on this project. I am hoping to get it done the first time around and not rip it out 6 times before I am happy with it.
The pattern was in my head when I woke up (love it when that happens) so I want to get it done before I forget what I wanted to do. I have half the hat done and am writing down every stitch so if it works, I will add it to my list of crochet patterns to finalize someday : )
Don’t forget to enter the giveaway of a lovely hair clip from Lilla Rose. You have until Monday night to get your entries in. Click here to enter.
what about ground up dates?
Rose Reisman has a cookbook http://www.artoflivingwell.ca/food/cookbooks/509-… that has many granola bar type recipes in it. I do find the cooking times are not long enough, but the recipes have been very good. I just wish I could buy a copy instead of getting it from the library!
Maybe substitute agave nectar instead of corn syrup or honey? They looked good!
I made granola bars a few weeks ago using a recipe from Kitchen Stewardship, and they were a hit at my house. Definitely more "chewy" than "crunchy". The recipe is here:http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2009/06/16/recipe-connection-homemade-granola-and-granola-bars/