Chewy Granola Bars

We go through a lot of granola bars in our house. They usually are some chocolate variety, but I do enjoy other flavors.

I am going on a trip next week to Big Bend National Park, and I needed some good portable hiking food. This seemed like a great time to try out a granola bar recipe. I found a great recipe to try that had some wiggle room for ingredient combinations. I am just completely thrilled with the way these came out. They are, as promised, super chewy and delicious. I really like the combination of mix-ins I used, and I can't wait to try some more combinations after I return!

Chewy Granola Bars

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup smooth peanut butter

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 tsp vanilla extract

1.5 cups quick oats

3 T wheat germ

Variety A - 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 1/2 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup cashew pieces

Variety B - 1/2 cup cashew pieces, 1/2 cup craisins

1. Preheat oven to 350 *F.

2. In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, peanut butter, honey, butter, and vanilla extract. Mix well.

3. Mix in oats & wheat germ.

4. Add desired mix-ins, approximate 1 cup of anything that sounds good (chocolate chips, craisins, raisins, cashews, pecans, peanuts, almonds, anything!)

5. Press tightly into 8x8 inch baking dish and bake at 350 *F for 18-20 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned.

6. Remove from oven and place dish on cooling rack. When mostly cool, turn onto cutting board and cut into 12 pieces. Store in airtight container.

Source: adapted from allrecipes.com

Easy Fajitas

In the past few months or so, I've really come to like bell peppers. A lot. Sometimes I crave them. Maybe I should change "like" to "love" in my first sentence, I think that would be more appropriate!

My favorite way to use bell peppers is in fajitas. The few minutes that they are in the pan gives them such a wonderful flavor while keeping a crisp texture. I like to keep my fajitas simple with an easy marinade. From start to finish this meal takes about 2 hours, but that includes time to marinate the meat. This meal has become a weekly favorite in our house!

Easy Chicken Fajitas (2 servings)

4 fresh or frozen chicken tenders, cut into strips

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tbsp fajita seasoning (I use the Penzey's blend)

1 tbsp water

1 lime

2-3 bell peppers, cut into strips (I like to use three different colors, but all green would be okay)

4-5 tortillas, flour or corn

Shredded colby jack cheese

1. In a tupperware container or ziploc bag, mix together the fajita seasoning and water. Add olive oil and the juice of 1 lime. Mix well, then add chicken strips. Allow to marinate for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator. Do not marinate more than 2 hours.

2. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Pour chicken and marinade into hot pan and spread out. Allow chicken to cook 4-5 minutes, then stir and continue to cook for a few more minutes until chicken is cooked through.

3. Add sliced bell peppers to pan and stir with chicken. Cook for 2-3 more minutes. Turn off heat.

4. Divide chicken and peppers between the tortillas, top with shredded cheese, and roll up.

Optional - onion strips could be added to the pepper mix.

Source: Penzey's Spices

Strawberry Sorbet

I am in love with strawberries. I've always kind of liked them, but about a year ago I became obsessed. I want to eat them every day, my favorite way is to slice them with a little cinnamon & sugar sprinkled on top. That's really all I need, but lately I've had so many strawberries around the house (how can I resist when they are about a dollar a pound?!) that I've been wanting to try something new.

I ran across a blog entry about sorbet, and decided to try a strawberry sorbet. This recipe turned out delicious straight from the ice cream maker. The perfect soft consistency, just lovely. It was also good a few hours later after it had a chance to freeze.

Strawberry Sorbet

1 pound of strawberries, tops removed

1/3 cup sugar

1 pinch salt

1.5 tsp cornstarch

1.5 tsp water

1 lemon

1. Puree strawberries in food processor until smooth.

2. Stir strawberries, sugar, and salt together in a saucepan. Heat on the stove until the mixture is warm and the sugar is dissolved.

3. In a small dish, combined the water and cornstarch, then transfer the mixture into the puree. Mix thoroughly.

4. Remove from the heat and add the juice of one lemon to the mixture.

5. Allow the mixture to cool in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

6. Freeze the mixture in your ice cream mixer. (Mine takes about 30 minutes)

You can eat the sorbet immediately after removing it from the ice cream maker, or you can transfer it to a plastic container and put it in the freezer for later.

Two variations to try:

1. Add a few dashes of cinnamon to the puree mixture after heating.

2. Add a handful of mini chocolate chips to the mixture when it has 5 minutes left in the ice cream mixer.

Source: adapted from allrecipes.com

Introduction

Welcome to my cooking blog! I am anxious to start this journal and record some of the recipes that I've been trying. First, a little bit about myself...

I know this will turn some people off from me, but the first way I'd describe myself is a picky eater. There. I said it. I am starting a cooking blog and am admitting to being a picky eater. What was I thinking?! Well, the truth is I love to cook, even if I'm not super adventurous. A typical cooking endeavor for me might be "Can I find the perfect cheese lasagna recipe?" Or maybe "How do I make the world's best pizza crust?" (I have yet to find it, that will be one goal of this blog!) I'm not necessarily about adventures, although I am expanding my flavor preferences every week, but simply about finding delicious food that everyone can enjoy.

-Amy