Friday, January 24, 2014

National Peanut Butter Day


Peanut Noodles
Ingredients
8 oz chow mein noodles
5 Tbsp creamy peanut butter, preferably organic
3 Tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
1 Tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
½ c chopped scallion greens + ¼ c slivered scallion greens

Directions
PREPARE chow mein noodles per package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid and drain noodles in colander.
WHISK together reserved cooking liquid, peanut butter, vinegar, soy sauce, and chopped scallion greens. Add to pasta, tossing to combine well.

DIVIDE among 4 serving bowls and top with slivered scallion greens.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

National Blonde Brownie Day

Blonde Brownies



Ingredients:
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan.
Measure 1 cup sifted flour. Add baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Sift again. Add 1/2 cup chopped nuts. Mix well and set aside.
Stir the brown sugar into the melted butter and mix well. Cool slightly.
Mix the beaten egg and vanilla into the brown sugar mixture. Add flour mixture, a little at a time, mixing just until combined.
Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle 1/2 to 1 cup chocolate chips on top. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

National Granola Bar Day



Chocolate, Nuts & Seed Granola Bars

Ingredients:
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter (regular or natural both work)
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup walnut oil (canola oil may be substituted)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats (not quick)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds, hulled
1/4 cup mini chocolate chip
2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Directions:
Heat oven to 350º F. Line a 8"x8" baking pan with foil. Lightly grease foil with cooking spray or oil.
In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter, honey, oil and salt. Stir until smooth.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, walnuts, sunflower nuts, chocolate chips, ground flax seed, chia seeds, and sesame seeds.

Pour the peanut butter mixture into the oat mixture and stir until evenly combined. Press into prepared pan and bake 20 to 25 minutes, until lightly brown. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Monday, January 20, 2014

National Buttercrunch Day



National Buttercrunch Day

Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/3 cup sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup shelled walnuts, chopped

FILLING
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs

Directions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees.

CRUST:.
In bowl, beat butter with mixer until smooth and creamy, 1 minute Add sugars, beat 3 minute until fluffy.
Beat in flour.
Beat in nuts until just incorporated. Reserve 1 cup mixture.
Press remainder over bottom of ungreased 13x9x2 inch baking pan.
Bake crust 10 minute Let cool.
FILLING:.
In bowl, beat together cream cheese and sugar with mixer until smooth.
Add vanilla and eggs, beat for 2 minute.
Fold in candy bars (see into description above).
Spoon over baked crust. Sprinkle reserved crust mixture over top.
Bake for 30 minute until cheesecake layer is set.
Let cool.
Cut into 16 bars.

Serve, or cover and refrigerate.