Grown-up Granola Bars

My first attempt at making granola bars, ever! Why would someone EVER buy them? You'll wonder that after you try this recipe.

1 1/2 Cups of oatmeal
1 Cup of dates
3/4 Cups of slivered almonds
1/4 Cup  sunflower seeds
2/3 Cup natural peanut butter
1/4 Cup of liquid honey
1/2 Tsp of cinnamon

If you have a food processor you'll save yourself some sticky fingers. I hand chopped the dates to almost a minced size.

In a dry bowl combine: oatmeal, add cinnamon (give it a mix)

I roasted the seeds and almonds for 5 minutes at 350.

And add chopped dates - give it a mix again!

In a saucepan: heat peanut butter and honey at a low heat.The flavour here brought back some childhood memories of peanut butter and honey on toast for me!

Combine wet and dry ingredients. I had to roll up my sleeves and use my hands to completely combine and you may find that you'll have to add a bit more peanut butter to coat - so more is less here!

Press down in a square dish and cover with cling wrap. Put in the freezer for 20 minutes before cutting.

I've heard stories about homemade granola bars being crumbly - I can see how that could happen, you really have to coat everything so next round I think I will add a bit more wet ingredients.

Credit must go to the Minimalist Baker blog i've mentioned for the inspiration from their 5 Ingredient Granola bar recipes.

Terrific Turkey Spaghetti Sauce

Sometimes I have a recipe in my head that only takes 45 minutes to complete, tops! Rarely is this actuality. Oh well, my future self will thank my misjudgements.

First I made a blended tomato kale marinara sauce with roasted garlic.

2x 19oz Cans of diced tomatos

2x 190z Cans of crushed tomatoes

4-5 Cloves of roasted garlic

1 Tsp of red pepper flakes

1 Tsp of brown sugar

2 Tbsp of Italian spice blend

1 medium onion diced and softened in oil

Salt and pepper

4+ cups of kale

Simmer, hang out then blend

Cook ground turkey in a separate pan.
I added some Italian seasoning blend while cooking.

In  yet another pot… soften in oil the following:

2 Stalks of celery

1 Red pepper diced

1 Small zucchini diced

2-3 Cups of mushrooms sliced

Once softened as desired add turkey and as much blended marinara sauce as you wish. I had a good amount left over for future veg meals. Obviously this recipe makes enough to feed a polygamous family so you can freeze what you don't eat for future no-cooking days :)

Right, this was served on roasted spaghetti squash which is the easiest thing EVER to make and do not cook it via radiation, I beg you! Make an insertion with your knife (stabbing sounded to harsh) and place in an oven pre-heated to 350. Leave for 45 minutes then remove. I would let sit for at least 20 minutes before slicing in half then take out the seeds. See, it only takes an additional hour of your time but you can start it when you start the sauce ;)

Spicy Ginger Latte

I did it!

2-3 Inches of sliced ginger
1 Tsp of brown sugar
1 1/2 Cups of water

Boil and simmer for at least 30 minutes

Take out and heat milk on stovetop with cinnamon.


The proportions really depend on your taste. I prefer a spicier tasting latte, myself! Credit for inspiration is thanks to the minimalist baker blog.

Chocolate Chai Latte

Experiment gone right. I was attempting to make this ginger latte I saw on this other food blog I'm currently obsessed with but didn't make the syrup strong enough… chocolate fixes everything, right?


1 Tbsp sliced ginger root
1 1/2 Tsp of brown sugar
1/3 Cup of water

Boil (I would simmer for at least 5 minutes).. really I would add way more ginger and taste it before straining.

Anywho… add enough milk to fill a cup and combine. Avoid the microwave, good things take time!

I added 1/4 Tsp of cinnamon and then two Tbsp of hot chocolate mix. I bet melting some chocolate in there would be even tastier. I, however, cannot have chocolate in my house.



You could probably add a little cayenne to spice it up!
This drink probably costs 50 cents compared to Starbucks $5. So treat yoself!

I will attempt the original recipe again tomorrow… here is the link to that blog  
http://minimalistbaker.com/3-ingredient-ginger-latte/

Irish Potato & Leek Soup

Happy St Patrick's Day weekend! This is my homage to Ireland. I used to make veg soup with potato and leeks lots when I lived there - and it was a comfort dish for sure. This is the first time I've made it since leaving so here it is…. (ps, it's a big pot)!

3 White potatoes
1 Leek
1 Yellow onion
3-4 Carrots
3-4 stalks of celery
2-3 Cloves of roasted garlic
2 Tbsp of dried parsley
3-4 Chicken cubes (or veg)
Salt and pepper







Firstly soften the onions in olive oil with salt and pepper. Add chopped carrots celery and then chopped leek. Add water with the chicken stalk along with all the rest. Lastly, add the rinsed and chopped potato and boil until no longer tough. Blend. This recipe does love salt I must say… I almost think I would use fresh parsley next time, instead of dried.

Apple Pear Compote

That's my fancy title for apple sauce with pear and cinnamon! Quick, comforting, and healthy!



4 Small/medium gala apples
1 Large pear
1 Heaping tbsp of cinnamon
1/4 Cup of brown sugar
1 Tsp butter
3/4 Cup of water.





Peel and core the fruit. Chop and add to a pot with other ingredients. Bring to a boil then let simmer until the fruit softens. It takes no time at all. Mash with a potato masher and voila! Serve it on ice cream, with dessert or as I will be eating it - on plain oatmeal.

I think you could get away with only a tbsp of brown sugar but don't be stingy on the cinnamon! The little bit of butter just adds a bit of a silky texture but that could be omitted as well if you want to get really healthy.