No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars

Granola is wonderful in many forms but it is easier to eat when shaped into a bar form. The Granola recipe from page 196 in Tastes & Treasures cookbook can be adapted to this also.

No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars

Ingredients:
2 cups quick cooking oats (or pulse whole oats in a food processor a bit)
1 C rice crispy cereal
1/4 C shredded coconut
1/4 C butter
1/4 C honey
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla

Mix -In variations listed below

Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the oats, cereal and coconut. Set a small saucepan over medium high heat and melt the butter. Add the honey, brown sugar and salt. Stir together then leave it alone as it comes to a boil. Once the boil has reached all the way around the edges of the pan, begin timing. Allow this mixture to boil for 2 minutes and 15 seconds. During this time, you may need to turn the heat down a bit so it doesn't overflow, but be sure it keeps boiling.

Pour the mixture over the oats, using a rubber spatula to get all the sugar mixture out of the pan. Mix the ingredients together until the oats are completely coated. Add in your desired mix-in then press very firmly into a lightly greased 9x13" pan.

If you like your bars thicker, you can use a smaller pan. If you do not press firmly enough, the bars will fall apart when you eat them. Place them in the fridge for 20 minutes then cut to size.

Chocolate Chip
Add 1/2 C of mini chocolate chips to the finished mixture before pressinginto the pan, allowing it cool just a bit or you will end up with melted chips. Sprinkle on a few extra chips over the top after they are pressed into the pan.

White Chocolate Cranberry
Add 1/3 C of white chocolate chips and 1/3 C of Craisins to the finished mixture before pressing into the pan, allowing it to cool just a bit first or you will end up with melted chips.

Candy Bar
Add 1/3 C of Heath bar pieces, 1/3 C of mini M&M's and 1/3 C of chopped pretzels to the finished mixture before pressing into the pan.

Peanut Butter
Add 2 Tb of peanut butter to the finished sugar mixture before pouring it over the oats. Once mixed with the oats, add 1/2 C peanut butter chips before pressing into the pan.

Raisin Nut
Add 1/3 C of chopped raisins and 1/3 C of chopped pecans to the finished mixture before pressing into the pan.
(recipe makes a 9x13 pan)

Thanks to Carole Jones of My Kitchen Escapades

Colorful and Tasty Cranberry Meatballs

	Festive and colorful, these are perfect for Holiday parties, as an appetizer, snack or meal. Another wonderful meatball is Sweet and Sour Meatballs from Tastes & Treasures cookbook, page 165. Cranberry Easy Meatballs Ingredients: 1 1/4 lbs. raw lean ground turkey 1/2 cup chili sauce 1/3 cup sweetened dried cranberries, roughly chopped Spices: salt, black pepper
	Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray and set aside. In a large bowl, combine turkey, chili sauce, chopped cranberries, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Mix thoroughly with your hands. Firmly and evenly form into 20 balls and place on the baking sheet, evenly spaced. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Gently flip meatballs and bake until cooked through, about 5 more minutes. Serve and enjoy! MAKES 5 SERVINGS Thanks to Hungry Girl for another easy recipe.

Crostini with Brie, Cranberry and Pistachios

One of the most popular appetizers served at the Membership Open House on Oct 20 was this delightful Crostini. Leslie Christiansen has shown her culinary talents before and we were thrilled to have her in this historic kitchen again for the event. Renee Donnelly and Bonnie Newhoff help out with the preparation. Note the Veggies on the counter, ready to be presented also.

The Historical League has written two books in the last few years. Tastes & Treasures A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona is filled with great

recipes like this one.

Our AZ Centennial book, Recollections and Reflections An Arizona Historymakers Centennial Commemoration is an official Legacy Project. Both books were available at the Open House.

CROSTINI WITH BRIE, CRANBERRY & PISTACHIOS

Ingredients:

8 oz brie, at room temperature

½ cup dried cranberries, chopped

½ cup pistachios, chopped

1 baguette French bread

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Method:

1. Preheat oven to broil. Move oven rack near the top.
2. Slice bread about 3/8-inch thick, about 24 slices. Place bread on a sheet pan and lightly drizzle with olive oil.
3. Lightly toast one side of the bread, about 3-4 minutes. Allow to cool.
4. Using a butter-knife spread a thin layer of the brie on the toasted side. Sprinkle with the chopped cranberries and pistachios.

Serves 12 as an appetizer