Granola Bars

Yes...this is the batch of bars that broke the food processor. Yes...they were worth it.

Raw Granola Bars

I took these bars to a baby shower yesterday and although most people went for the naughtier treats, several of the ones who tried these loved them and asked for the recipe, which I'm happy to share.

Ingredients:
1 block of dates (pitted)
1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup coarsely chopped almonds
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
handful of dried fruit, like raisins, currants, apricot, etc...I used currants

*The above dry ingredients, especially the seeds and nuts, can be substituted with the seeds or nuts of your choice, so long as you have 3 - 4 cups of the dry ingredients. There is really no wrong way to make these. You can also use more peanut butter and less honey or vice versa. The dates are for making everything stick.

Directions:
Chop the dates and whiz in food processor until the blade breaks*. Remove from food processor and add to blender with a tbsp of hot water and whiz until a ball forms.

Melt the peanut butter with the honey in a small saucepan.

Mix all ingredients and press into a 9x13" pan. I lined my pan with parchment.

Refrigerate 1/2 hour and cut into bars. Not necessary, but I dehydrated the bars for 6 hours and then returned to the fridge. They're perfect :)

Would make a nice gift

Tip:
So, the blade really did break on my food processor the first time I made these. I would recommend not using the food processor or blender. Not only did the dates break the blade on the food processor, but then they nearly burned out the motor in the blender. I recommend chopping them by hand with a knife or kitchen scissors.

Cream of Cauliflower Soup

Head of cauliflower

Cook 5 minutes:
2 tablespoons butter
 1 large onion, chopped
 4 cloves garlic, minced

Add, cook 5 minutes more:
 2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
 2 carrots, chopped

Add, bring to boil:
 1 box vegetable broth

 Stir in and simmer 15 minutes:
1 head cauliflower, chopped

Remove from heat and puree in blender until smooth. Add to pot on low heat and add:
1 cup milk
 1 tsp salt
 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

Heat through and serve with some yummy bread of your choice. We like rye. 

Cauliflower soup with buttered roll