For Real

So I think I'm really back. For real this time, look.

I even put on the apron again, after being convinced NOT to give it away. Thanks Lil :)


First I threw some chewy chocolate chip cookies together to take to Red Rocks for a Dispatch show last weekend, and last night I used up the last of my frozen fruit (yay for the start of growing season!) and mouth watering peach preserves. I almost forgot I had the homemade treat, made from Palisade peaches and canned by Claire and Linnea last fall, after originally eating a quarter of its contents straight from the jar with a spoon.

Yep, my mouth is watering while I type...


Anywho, go ahead and try out the recipe below. It will work at every altitude, is easy, and can be adjusted to your taste by using what ever kind of preserves, frozen fruit, and nuts you have on hand. Enjoy!


Oat Nut Fruit Bars
Makes 24

1 3/4 cup rolled, steel cut, or old fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup salted butter, melted
1 cup peach preserves
1/4 cup frozen blue berries, warm rinsed and drip dried
9x13 inch pan
vegetable oil non-stick spray
large bowl
medium whisk
fork

1. Turn on oven to 350 degrees
2. Coat your baking pan with vegetable oil spray
3. If need be, coarsely chop your nuts. I needed to because I buy mine in bulk. Hint: the less chopped they are, the cheaper they will be, hence the need to chop at home.

4. Combine oats, flour, sugar, nuts, and baking soda in bowl.

5. Whisk together until all ingredients are evenly combined
6. Add melted butter
7. Use fork to blend butter into a wet mixture until no loose dry ingredients remain
8. Remove a 3/4 cup of the wet oat mixture and set aside
9. Press the rest of the oat mixture into your baking pan, making sure it's even and the edges and corners are well covered
10. Bake for 10 minutes
11. Remove from oven and spread the preserves over the partially baked base ONLY to within 1/4 inch from the edge (you don't want them to cook out and burn on the pan)
12. Spread your blueberries evenly
13. Sprinkle the remaining 3/4 cup of oat mixture over the preserves and fruit
14. Bake for an additional 20 minutes or until you can see the top starting to brown
15. Cool pan on wire rack
16. Enjoy for breakfast, a snack, or with vanilla ice cream!