Cherry Chocolate Chunk Granola Bars

On Facebook last week, I had posted a picture of those Feta and Sage Mini Chicken Meatloaves and had people guess what it was. One guess was for some sort of homemade granola bars, which got me thinking. So the next day, I decided to try my hand at making homemade granola bars, since I buy the boxed kind for my kids a couple of times a month anyway. They were REALLY good and the kids LOVED them! 

*Tip: Place the pan in the freezer once it has cooled enough. It makes them cool quicker and also made it easier to cut. I also found that they stayed together better if you store them in the refrigerator. 

Cherry Chocolate Chunk Granola Bars
3 c. Old Fashioned Oats
2 tbsp. Butter (I used salted)
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1/2 c. Dried Cherries, chopped
1/2 c. Nestle's Chocolate Chunks (you can substitute carob or regular chocolate chips or dark chocolate)
1/2 c. Blue Agave Syrup
1/4 c. Honey

Add the butter, vanilla, agave syrup and honey to small saucepan and heat over low heat until butter has melted. In the meantime, combine the oats, cherries and chocolate in a bowl. Pour the butter mixture over the oat mixture and mix well. Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper and add the oats, spreading evenly in the pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Allow to cool then cut into squares. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. 

Nutritional Information for 12 Bars: Calories 226,  Fat 5.4g, Fiber 5g, Protein 2.7g

Enjoy! 

Oat and Walnut Baked Chicken

Good morning everyone!
First, I just wanted to give all of you a brief update on the progress of the cookbook. The book is in its final stages of editing and the final manuscript should be completed by April 15th. We also have solidified a title, which will be "Carrie's Experimental Kitchen: A Collection of Mediterranean-Inspired Family Meals". Still no word on the actual release date, but after editing it will go to cover design and layout. I'll keep you posted as I get more definitive news. 


And now for today's recipe! 


I'm always looking to try new ways to make some of our favorite comfort foods. Like this baked, breaded chicken. You can either buy an entire chicken and cut it down yourself (which is usually the most cost effective way to do it) or you can buy them already pre cut into pieces (2 breasts, 2 thighs, 2 legs, 2 wings). If you have never cut your own whole chicken before, I found this video from My Recipes that shows you exactly how to do it and figured "Why recreate the wheel!".  The breading was simple to make and gave it a nice, nutty flavor. 

Oat and Walnut Baked Chicken
1 Whole Fryer Chicken, cut into pieces
1 c. Quaker Old Fashioned Oats
1 c. Panko Breadcrumbs
1 c. Walnuts
2 tbsp. Fresh Rosemary, chopped
Egg Wash (2 eggs + 1/4 c. 2% Milk)
1 c. Flour


Rinse chicken pieces, remove skin and pat dry. Add the oats, breadcrumbs, walnuts and rosemary to a food processor and blend until you get a fine breading, then add to a bowl. Prepare bowls for your egg wash and your flour.  Dip each chicken piece first into the flour, then into the egg wash then into the breading mixture. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour until all pieces have achieved the proper internal temperature.  Serves 4-6. 


Enjoy! 

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Holiday Baking #5: Oatmeal Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Now, THESE are my FAVORITE cookie to make. They're so easy and taste incredible. Maybe it's because of the pecans (I just love them!) but they really are very good. This recipe was adapted from the Quaker Oats Oatmeal Raisin recipe many years ago. If you don't like pecans, you can use whatever you wish...walnuts, almonds, leave the nuts out altogether..your call. The basic recipe is so good. I've even made these with white chips and dried cherries. The other thing I like about this recipe is you can throw all of the ingredients into one bowl instead of making bowls for dry/wet ingredients and it comes out perfect every time...less mess!

Oatmeal Pecan Chocolate Chip
Adapted from Quaker Oats
2 Sticks Butter, softened
1 c. Granulated Sugar
1/2 c. Brown Sugar, packed
2 Eggs
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 1/2 c. All-Purpose Flour
3 c. Oats (I use Quaker regular oats, not the quick ones)
1 c. Chopped Pecans
1/2 c. Mini Chocolate Chips


In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar (I use a wooden spoon). Add eggs and vanilla and mix well. Next, add in the flour and baking soda and mix well. Add in the oats, pecans and chocolate chips and mix well. Using a kitchen teaspoon, drop the cookie dough onto a greased baking sheet, leaving about 1-2" between them. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Let cool. Makes 4 dz. 


Enjoy!