Nature Valley Bars

My friend made these for me to try the other day and I think they are awesome. My son has a peanut allergy and so we can't eat most granola bars, so this is an great way to be able to eat them since my family loves granola bars.

Nature Valley Bars

1 1/2  c. rolled oats
1/2 c. rice crispies
3 T. cornmeal
Pinch of salt
1/4 tsp. Baking soda

Combine and set aside.

1/4 c. honey
2 T. coconut oil (melted)
3/4 tsp. vanilla
1/2 T. brown sugar

Combine then mix with dry ingredients.

Line 9x9 pan with tin foil. Pour mixture in pan and press lightly. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. You don't really want them to brown. 15 min was perfect for me. Let cool and break into bars.
 * I added 1/2-1 cup of dried berries. I used strawberry craisins. It is also really good with dried blueberries.

This was so good! My kids absolutely loved it! Brock even thanked me for making it!!

 

Dreamsicle Orange Punch:

1 Quart Orange Sherbet
1 Quart Vanilla Ice Cream
1 Liter Of Sprite or 7-Up.
1 Can Of Cream Soda.
Pour 1 Liter Sprite or 7-Up Into A Large Punch Bowl. Scoop Softened Sherbet and Vanilla Ice Cream Into The Bowl. Add 1 Can Of Cream Soda And Stir.

Black Bean Salsa

I made a recipe that other night that had black bean salsa in it. It had it's own version and I actually have two different versions, so I actually combined the three and I think came up with something pretty delicious. The recipe that called for it is actually a barbecue chicken salad and you just put the salsa on it, but this is also really yummy eaten with tortilla chips or just eat it by itself with a spoon!!

Black Bean Salsa

1 can white corn (drained)
1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 tomato (chopped really well)
1 red pepper (chopped really well)
2 avacados (chopped)
1/4 cup onion (chopped really well)
2 limes (squeeze juice on top)
1-3 tsp. sugar (depending on how sweet you want it)
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. cilantro (I don't usually put this in or just put in a tiny bit because we don't love cilantro, but if  
                         you like it, go for it)
Combine the corn and beans into a medium sized bowl. Add the tomato, red pepper, avacados, and onion and mix again. Squeeze juice from limes on top and add sugar and salt and cilantro and mix again. Serve with tortillas chips.

Freezer Jam

I got a whole bunch of strawberries in my bountiful basket this week and our freezer jam stockpile is getting low, so Lily and I got to work making some more. I grew up on this freezer jam recipe and it is by far my favorite of all the jams and jellies I have ever had and it is so easy!

Freezer Jam
5 c. mashed fruit
1/2 c. light corn syrup
2 c. sugar
3 T. clear starch* (heaping Tablespoons)
Mash fruit. Mix clear starch and sugar really well. Pour into fruit. Add corn syrup and you are done. Mixture will thicken more as it sets and the cooler it gets.
*Clear starch is a little bit hard to find, but can be purchased at most kitchen stores or online