Peanut,cashew,chocolate bars (almost copycat Larabars)

Well, here we are, a new year, a new post and dare I say if not a new me, possibly a new you.

Apart from the one book-a-month resolution I made the previous year, which by the way, got me through three books, come this January(pat,pat), I had not much to resolute about. Except that reading about the charm, dash and wayward ways of 1940's Hollywood(book 1), valor of my favorite Victorian policeman (book 2) and the creepiest human minds (book 3) brought me to a righteous realization, one that existed once upon a time, when I began this website. I can accomplish things I set my (determined) mind to.  Here, I digress. I know I haven't been fair in postwriting and archive filling . So, I guess you could call it motivation or focus, maybe my 2016 resolution, and as I say this, with hesitant-inner-emoji smiles, I hope to sit in, type up and update away on a more uniform basis. Moreover, I wish beyond anything that you don't completely abandon me.

Therefore, before I have you read 2016's first editorial, I need to wave hi to many kind folks, readers that actually read, chime in, even silent visitors and of course those likers/followers, all who trust me to deliver the goods. Everyone of you who pay some homage to these pages and keep stats running, I owe much gratitude. I really enjoy this space I have to culinarily communicate with you. And it is in my interest to, at least, cover your appetites with worthy menus on the horizon, ones that've been etched in my mind for ages and will hopefully make their screen debut without interruption.

Shall we then, gear BFMK into groove and learn about our topic today?
I knew you'd say yes.

It's not always I say I love a store-bought, readymade treat so much, I feel the dire need to copycat it. Still, confession: I'm a junkie when it comes to those energy, paleo, health bars we slot into the high performance, nutritious snack category (paradoxical living may relieve stress). Not to name names, but particularly the L- and K-bars ( I know, I'm bad at subtlety) would cover my hunger pangs astoundingly well. So well that I began to consume substantially slightly more than Normal People's given serving. It was a pretty harsh discovery, one that set me back some serious bank. Really, cravings snowballed, my liking turned into obsession (usually the story anyway) and those quality-nothing-more-than-five-ingredient bars were having me revamp (sneak from) my ninja-like budgeting skills.

So began as routine as ever, a webstroll for recipe copycats, which led to several gorgeously, pin-able prospects. I arrived at an easy, delicious, doable and what-many-call Larabar copycat, would take less than ten to make and last me a week. It was the end of the rainbow, guys. 

Sounds good, right? Well, of course, especially when you can take the platform and change ingredients to form your own holistic snackbar experience. And I did, alter from the original to create my own handheld sunshine.

On construction, you will notice as you pulse peanuts/cashews, the initial lumpy, rutted texture, which is precisely what/where it should be, the prelude canvas for luscious dates to do their thing, melding to a dotted crumb-almost jammy dough. A gentle handcombining of the remains, transforms into a gloriously squishy, studded, chewy, ethereal outcome, of a more-than-you-can-imagine cereal bar. 

With a basic flatten, shape and score, you will have one epic of a snack. Nuts, dates, coconut and chocolate cover every level of craving, be it your need for protein, sugar, carbs, all in all, fulfilling that inner zen even when you thought you had none.

And really isn't it the most impressive nibble you've ever seen? Give it a chance and it might turn your year around, if not, change your life. For sure, it will shake up the snacking routine and give it brand new vigor.

That being said, I can also verify the testimony of two lunchbox toting kids who share habitat with the author of this blog. Their quote... " Amma, these should be on the blog already!". 

Amma  listened.

Ingredients:
Adapted from My Whole Food Life

• 1 cup roasted, unsalted peanuts
• ¼ cup raw, unsalted cashews
• pinch salt 
• 15-20 mejdool dates, pitted
• 1 tbsp desiccated coconut, unsweetened
• ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

• Place peanuts and salt into the bowl of food processor. Pulse to form chunks.
• Add cashew, pulse 2-3 times, till all nuts are broken and mixture is still chunky.
• Add the dates and process till dough forms.
• Transfer contents to a large bowl. Using wooden spoon or spatula, mix in coconut, chocolate chips.
• Spread mixture between two large parchment sheets.
• Smooth with hands or flat bottom of a large bowl/ pan to 1/2 inch thickness
• Store in refrigerator for 1 hour.
• Cut into shape desired.
• Can keep chilled for upto a week.

Notes~

• If you're using smaller dates, you'd probably have to add more, until mixture is bound properly.
• Dough might be sticky, it would be best to smooth/shape using parchment paper, even wax paper- though I believe the latter might stick.
• You can swap more/less cashews to peanuts; whatever/ wherever your pantry/tastebuds allow.

Love me some dates.

Originally starting from 3 ingredients this magical recipe can be transformed in many ways, almonds can swap in for dates or macadamias for regular peanuts. Anywhere your budget, pantry, tastebuds, imagination takes you.

One first bite... might exactly be the moment you realize all is well with the world.

wrapped and pretty= uncontainable lunchbox glee

2015 and 2014 never saw a January update ( just wasn't industrious) and since I began in Feb 2012, the only year that took on January recipes (3 to boot) is 2013. Hurrah!

3 years ago~ bread maker pretzels, meatball curry, plum cake 

******

Blessings to you. May 2016 be your best year yet. 

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

Cranberry orange loaf

The reason for the speed post? In all likes it's the rush delivery, last minute to-dos that eventually get done, remain a constant in my nature, and keep this site as well as your interest going. My purpose today may have severalfold intentions, one in which I strongly hope this to be a part of your merrymaking agenda, today, tomorrow. Whenever. Cranberry loaf scented with oranges, our day before Christmas feature will have you smitten and unregretful of the fact that you spent the five minutes you do on today's update.

After the success of a certain past sweetbread copycat which gained BFMK archives great momentum, I assure you, comparably, tasteprofilewise cran.o.loaf boasts and delivers just as much without disappointment and will take the preferred nonyeastbread baking to a next level.

Baked and bespeckled with The Crimson, you are guaranteed more than a few cranberries with each bite. The robustness in this superfruit cuts well in a double leavener added sweet loaf. I'll also have you know how important the salient differences almonds vs. pecans make, a key ingredient tweak that had to be done as I believe slivered almonds bear a certain magnificence that beg to be in these holiday specials. The smidge of butter (yes, people, considering my love for saturated fat, I reason quartercups to be conservative amounts) will ease your otherwise glutted-with-not-all-things-great season-loving soul.

Moreover, I know this bread will hearken you/your kitchen/your home with required good tidings, cheer, happy endings as you gather, whip, bake, set before family tables, or just for yourself. An addendum to this segue is the surety in it leaving you weak in the knees when and if you dare to stop at Slice One.

So, I'll wrap up the final minute and gift this piece over to to you. 

Hope your Christmas is blessed with much joy, much peace, much love and great memories. 

God bless and thank you for your visits.

Ingredients:

(Adapted from Allrecipes cranberry orange loaf)

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp grated orange zest
• 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries
• ⅓ cup sliced almonds
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• ¾ cup orange juice

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350F.
• Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan or individual smaller loaf pans.
• Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk in zest, cranberries, and almonds. 
• In a large bowl of stand mixer, cream together butter, sugar and egg until light and fluffy. Blend in orange juice. Take off mixer and blend in flour with wooden spatula until moistened. Mixture will be thick.
• Spread into prepared pan(s). Bake 50 minutes to 1 hour, until a wooden pick/tester inserted in center comes out clean.
• Let stand in pan for 10 minutes then turn over on to wire rack to cool completely.

SOOC(straight out of the camera) Visions of flour drenched cranberries need no gilding.

I divided the batter between small loaf pans, perfect for hostess gifts. A batch yields for 4 minis and renders as many happy friends.

A tour of our very pinteresty and busy DIY season. I was bent to take a few amongst the gazillion pinned on my "All things Christmas" board and put them to test. In our industriousness, we created a bunch of giant light balls to make our yard glow and palleted snowmen, since I'd be delusional in thinking our sand strewn land would gift us with the real deal to make even one authentic Frosty. All in all, we ❤️ pinterest for sure.

2014 ~ stocking cake pops, baklava
2013 ~ gingerbread loaf, green rice
2012 ~ Asian style pork and peppers, lollipops, perfect egg salad

******

 In your darkest times, fear not, for the Savior is here.

"O come O come Emmanuel

 And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son Of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

shall come to thee, O Israel."