Nut Butter Granola Bars

Nut Butter Granola Bars
Print Recipe
    Servings Prep Time
    16 bars 30 minutes
    Cook Time Passive Time
    30-35 minutes 5 minutes
    Servings Prep Time
    16 bars 30 minutes
    Cook Time Passive Time
    30-35 minutes 5 minutes
    Nut Butter Granola Bars
    Print Recipe
      Servings Prep Time
      16 bars 30 minutes
      Cook Time Passive Time
      30-35 minutes 5 minutes
      Servings Prep Time
      16 bars 30 minutes
      Cook Time Passive Time
      30-35 minutes 5 minutes
      Ingredients
      Servings: bars
      Instructions
      1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange nuts and pumpkin seeds on a rimmed baking sheet and toast for 10-12 minutes until golden, stirring once. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
      2. Meanwhile, reduce the oven to 300°F. Spray a 13x9" pan with non-stick spray and line with parchment paper, overhanging the long sides.
      3. Using a food processor, pulse cooled nuts and 1 cup of oats until a sandy consistency and no large pieces of oats remain. Transfer to a large bowl, along with the remaining cup of whole oats. To the same bowl stir in dried fruit and oil (chop any dried fruit bigger than a raisin).
      4. In a medium saucepan whisk together honey, salt and vanilla over medium heat until at a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for about 3 minutes until bubbling vigorously and smells like caramel.
      5. Add peanut butter to oat mixture along with the hot honey and stir to fully combine. By adding together, the hot honey will help melt the peanut butter. Whisk egg white in a small bowl and stir into oat mixture until fully incorporated.
      6. Scoop into prepared pan and pack down firmly and evenly. Using the bottom of a measuring cup helps to compact the mixture and get it flat.
      7. Bake until golden and no longer sticky 30-35 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before scoring into 16 pieces (2x8). Let cool completely in the pan before lifting out using the parchment overhang. Cut along score marks into bars.
      Recipe Notes

      -don't skimp on the amount of listed salt.

      -I used a combination of almonds, pecans and cashews.

      -cut bars can be wrapped and frozen, kept in a sealed container for up to 1 month.

      -cut bars will last for about 5 days stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

      -other nut butter such as almond butter work well too.

      Stroganoff Meatballs

      Stroganoff Meatballs
      Print Recipe
      Servings Prep Time
      6 people 55-60 minutes
      Cook Time
      35 minutes
      Servings Prep Time
      6 people 55-60 minutes
      Cook Time
      35 minutes
      Stroganoff Meatballs
      Print Recipe
      Servings Prep Time
      6 people 55-60 minutes
      Cook Time
      35 minutes
      Servings Prep Time
      6 people 55-60 minutes
      Cook Time
      35 minutes
      Ingredients
      Beef Meatballs
      Stroganoff Sauce
      Servings: people
      Instructions
      Beef Meatballs
      1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
      2. In a large bowl combine all ingredients and mix until incorporated. Roll into 1-ounce meatballs (about 2 tbsp each) and arrange on a large baking tray lined with parchment. Will yield about 38 meatballs.
      3. Bake for 15 minutes and remove from oven. Reduce heat to 350°F.
      Stroganoff Sauce
      1. While meatballs are cooking, heat oil in a large dutch oven. Add sliced mushrooms and sauté until most of the liquid has evaporated and starting to brown.
      2. Add 2 cups water and OXO soup base and heat to a simmer, stirring to dissolve. Whisk together the cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water. Add to pot, whisking constantly until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat and whisk in mushroom soup until smoothed out. Stir in sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, paprika and pepper.
      3. Add meatballs to the sauce and stir gently to coat with sauce. Cover and bake for 30-35 minutes. Remove from oven and serve immediately over noodles, rice or potatoes.
      Recipe Notes

      -It is a must to use beef soup base (preferably Knorr OXO Beef in a Mug)  I have tried to use regular beef bouillon cubes and powder, however, they do not have the same level of beef flavour and are not recommended for this recipe.

      -Meatballs can be made and cooked up to a day ahead.  Keep covered and chilled until ready to use.  Cook casserole for 40-45 minutes if using cold meatballs.

       

      Spicy Peanut Chicken and Couscous

      Spicy Peanut Chicken and Couscous served in a shallow black bowl.
      Spicy Peanut Chicken and Couscous
      Print Recipe
        Servings Prep Time
        3-4 people 30 minutes
        Cook Time Passive Time
        15 minutes 0-3 hours
        Servings Prep Time
        3-4 people 30 minutes
        Cook Time Passive Time
        15 minutes 0-3 hours
        Spicy Peanut Chicken and Couscous served in a shallow black bowl.
        Spicy Peanut Chicken and Couscous
        Print Recipe
          Servings Prep Time
          3-4 people 30 minutes
          Cook Time Passive Time
          15 minutes 0-3 hours
          Servings Prep Time
          3-4 people 30 minutes
          Cook Time Passive Time
          15 minutes 0-3 hours
          Ingredients
          Servings: people
          Instructions
          1. Cut chicken into thin slices and combine with soy sauce, garlic, ginger and 2 tsp oil. Cover and keep chilled for an hour if time permits or up to 3 hours in advance.
          2. Bring chicken broth to a simmer. Stir in couscous and cover with a lid. Remove from heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
          3. Meanwhile, heat remaining 3 tsp oil over medium-high heat in a wok or large skillet. Add chicken slices and cook until lightly browned and cooked through, tossing occasionally for about 6 minutes.
          4. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in 3/4-1 cup of peanut sauce. You want enough to coat the chicken and make it saucy. Allow peanut sauce to warm but don't let it get too hot or it may separate.
          5. Fluff couscous with a fork and divide between serving bowls. Top with chicken, a drizzle of sauce and garnish with green onion, cilantro and chili peppers if desired.
          Recipe Notes

          -You can use my delicious Peanut Sauce or store-bought peanut sauce.

          -Prep time does not include making the peanut sauce.

           

          Beef Roulade

          Beef Roulade
          Print Recipe
            Servings Prep Time
            3-4 people 40 minutes
            Cook Time Passive Time
            10 minutes 3 minutes
            Servings Prep Time
            3-4 people 40 minutes
            Cook Time Passive Time
            10 minutes 3 minutes
            Beef Roulade
            Print Recipe
              Servings Prep Time
              3-4 people 40 minutes
              Cook Time Passive Time
              10 minutes 3 minutes
              Servings Prep Time
              3-4 people 40 minutes
              Cook Time Passive Time
              10 minutes 3 minutes
              Ingredients
              Servings: people
              Instructions
              1. Butterfly flank steak by laying flat and slicing in half lengthwise with the grain, stopping 1-2" before cutting all the way through.
              2. Open up flank steak like a book and place between two pieces of parchment. Pound flat with a mallet to an approximate 12"x8" rectangle. Try to flatten the seam to the same thickness.
              3. Season the flattened flank steak with salt and pepper and brush generously with Dijon mustard.
              4. Cover with prosciutto slices in an even layer. Arrange basil leaves in a single layer on top of the prosciutto. Top with an even layer of provolone cheese.
              5. With the prepped steak facing you lengthwise, roll up tightly. Secure with a few toothpicks to hold it while you tie it.
              6. Using butcher string, snugly tie the rolled steak at 1" intervals. Remove toothpicks and cut roll evenly between each piece of string, giving you about 8 one-inch rolls tied in the centre with string.
              7. Preheat grill to medium-high.
              8. Rub or brush prepared rolls on both sides with oil.
              9. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side for medium by grilling directly on the grill, using a mesh grill mat on the grill or by pan-frying. Allow to rest 2-3 minutes and serve.
              Recipe Notes

              -I have found that using grated provolone makes the roll easier to roll.

              -Using a mesh grill mat is convenient but not necessary.

              Steak with Balsamic Butter Sauce

              Steak with Balsamic Butter Sauce sliced and ready to serve garnished with fresh rosemary.
              Steak with Balsamic Butter Sauce
              Print Recipe
                Servings Prep Time
                2 people 10-15 minutes
                Cook Time
                12-15 minutes
                Servings Prep Time
                2 people 10-15 minutes
                Cook Time
                12-15 minutes
                Steak with Balsamic Butter Sauce sliced and ready to serve garnished with fresh rosemary.
                Steak with Balsamic Butter Sauce
                Print Recipe
                  Servings Prep Time
                  2 people 10-15 minutes
                  Cook Time
                  12-15 minutes
                  Servings Prep Time
                  2 people 10-15 minutes
                  Cook Time
                  12-15 minutes
                  Ingredients
                  Servings: people
                  Instructions
                  1. Pat steaks dry with a paper towel and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
                  2. Add oil to a medium stainless steel skillet and heat on high. When the oil is hot add steaks and cook 4 to 4 1/2 minutes per side for medium-rare, flipping only once and getting a good sear on both sides.
                  3. Remove steaks to a plate and cover with foil.
                  4. Add balsamic vinegar, beef broth and rosemary to the same pan whisking to pick up any beefy bits left behind by the steak. Continue to cook over medium-high heat for about 4 minutes until sauce is reduced by at least half and can coat the back of a spoon. Remove rosemary sprig.
                  5. Turn heat to low and whisk in butter one chunk at a time, allowing the butter to be incorporated before adding more. Once all the butter is incorporated remove from heat and adjust seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. Serve over steak or on the side as a dipping sauce. Makes about 1/3 cup of sauce.
                  Recipe Notes

                  Cooking time for steaks will be dependant on size.  The steaks I used were approximately 8 ounces each and 1 1/2 " thick.