Basic Granola Bars

I love granola bars – they are quick to grab when you are on the run (in the morning or when I am going out to the playground with my kids), brilliant for that "I need something right now" snack in the afternoon (I work 10 hours a day, so I really do need something small). My kids love them as well, as they are sweet and come in great varieties.

I usually make my own rather then purchase them. They are quick to make, have no preservatives and unknown ingredients (you know what I say: If you cannot pronounce it, it is most likely not natural and should not go into our boddies)– oh, and you will find that they are not too heavy on your budget too.

I have a few basic granola bar recipes. Here is one that I like to make which has peanut butter, oats and honey, and whatever the kitchen holds.

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 15 min. Yield: 20

1/2cup natural peanut butter

 1/3 cup honey

 1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 3-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats

 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

 3/4 teaspoon salt

1   cup semisweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl mix the first 4 ingredients together. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well (the batter will be rather sticky).

Transfer to a 25 by 30 cm (or there off… honestly, I have no idea what the size is, I have one dish that I can adjust to my needs) that has been laid out with baking paper. Bake at 175C for 12-15 minutes or until set and edges are lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

You will enjoy these, and make them again, and again and again... you get the point :)

Variations:

Exchange the half cup of oats with wheat germs.

Exchange the peanut butter with Nutella (or something like that)

Exchange the chocolate chips with nuts and fruits (or just reduce the quantity used)

You can dunk the finished bars in melted chocolate to make them look like the stuff you get in shops

In place of the chocolate chips and 1/3 cup of oats, I used 1 cup of dry crushed, crispy cereal.

If you want them crunchier, just cut them into bar size, put them on a cookie sheet and back them again at 175C for another 15 minutes

Varieties are seriously endless.

Homemade Ice Cream in a blitz

Years ago at a Tupper party the Tupper lady made ice cream using just a few ingredients and this hand mixer/blender. I adapted this for ease to use a food processor.
This recipe will make real nice fruit flavored ice cream in just a few seconds. And the best part: You don’t need an expensive ice cream maker.

2 cups frozen fruit (sliced if necessary)

1/2 cup of sugar (adjusted to taste)

1 cup heavy cream or yoghurt

Put the fruit in your blender or food processor. Add the sugar and a little of the cream and start processing/blending. Keep blending until the fruit is well pureed. Add more cream as needed to get the right consistency. Depending on the fruits you use you may have to put the mixture back in the freezer for a bit.

This recipe works best with berries, peaches, mango or bananas.

Fruit Cobbler

Have you ever been faced with a cake that you over baked? Or are you getting guests over and the only thing left are a tin off fruit or two and this cake that has seen better days but it is just a real shame to bin it.

Well, try this fruit cobbler. It is quick to make and so delicious that no one will be able tell that you have made it because you just had nothing else at home.

You will need:

• 1/2 cups sugar, adjust it to your taste
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup oil
• 5 slices dry cake, cut into stripes. crusts removed and cut into strips
• Fruits to cover the bottom of the pan
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon (but that is optional)

Mix the first 4 ingredients together and set aside. Place the fruits in a buttered 20x20cm pan and top with cake strips. Pour sugar mixture over the crumble and and sprinkle with cinnamon if desired.
Bake in a medium hot oven (180°C) for about 35-45 minutes or until golden brown.

Ice cream or whipped cream on top make it even better.

Note: The reason why I can't give you an amount for the fruit is that I just fill it into the pan and that's it. It really depends what you use. Canned fruits work great, frozen fruits should be defrosted slightly. soft fresh fruits are good as well, however, if you use anything that is harder, like apples, you should precooked until softened for best results.
Also, if you don't have any cake but only bread (white, light, fruit...) use that instead. Just increase the amount of sugar to 1 cup and remove the crust.