Chocolate Almond Crunch Krispie Treats

Chocolate Almond Crunch Krispie Treats

by | Oct 29, 2017 | DESSERTS, CAKES AND SQUARES | 0 comments

After school treat or with Sunday tea, you’ll love every bit of the almond flavour and crunch in these chewy Chocolate Almond Crunch Krispie Treats. They’re the stuff that’s made as a family, easy, nostalgic and made often. Every bit as easy as your typical marshmallow krispie square but amped up with toasted almonds, almond butter and chocolate. It’s a great twist on an old favourite.

 

Without a doubt,  almonds would have to be my favourite nut in every dimension. I enjoy snacking on them whole, raw, or toasted & seasoned. I love them in baked goods, especially toasted. They are great slivered in salads, toasted in granola and they are the first thing that I will pick out of trail mix. Almonds are also a good source of fiber, magnesium, and calcium to name a few. There’s so much to love about the almond and that’s why I chose to incorporate them in these delicious Chocolate Almond Crunch Krispie Treats. Enjoy!

Recipe source for Chocolate Almond Crunch Krispie Treats:

Compelled To Cook

 

Chocolate Almond Crunch Krispie Treats
Print Recipe
    Servings Prep Time
    20 squares 15 minutes
    Cook Time
    20 minutes
    Servings Prep Time
    20 squares 15 minutes
    Cook Time
    20 minutes
    Chocolate Almond Crunch Krispie Treats
    Print Recipe
      Servings Prep Time
      20 squares 15 minutes
      Cook Time
      20 minutes
      Servings Prep Time
      20 squares 15 minutes
      Cook Time
      20 minutes
      Ingredients
      Servings: squares
      Instructions
      1. Prepare a 9"x9" pan by spraying with non stick spray and lining with parchment, allowing the parchment to overhang on two sides only. Giving you something to grab and lift entire unit from pan when set.
      2. Using a large pot, melt marshmallows and butter over medium heat until almost melted. Add 1/2 cup almond butter and almond extract. Stir until smooth, removing from heat when the last of the marshmallows have melted.
      3. Stir in rice krispies and 1 cup toasted almonds. Spread evenly into prepared pan using lightly oiled hands to press out uniformly.
      4. Melt chocolate chips and 1/4 cup almond butter together, stirring until smooth and chocolate is melted. I used the microwave at medium power and 30 second intervals, however a double boiler works well too.
      5. Pour over krispie squares and spread out evenly. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/2 cup toasted almonds. Allow to cool to room temperature prior to cutting. Cut along the edge of the pan to release the two sides that do not have the parchment overhang. Grab the parchment ends and lift entire unit out of the pan onto cutting board. Cut 4x5 into 20 bars.
      Recipe Notes

      Toast almonds by spreading in a single layer on a sheet pan and baking in a preheated 350℉ oven for 8-10 minutes, turning once.

      Beet Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing

      Beet Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing

      by | Aug 14, 2017 | LUNCH, SALADS, VEGETABLES, VEGETARIAN | 2 comments

      Beet Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing is a lovely use of your fresh beet bounty this summer. For the fresh garden beets that are the star in this recipe, I give thanks to my mother in-law, who at 76 still maintains a huge yard and garden. It was from her wonderful garden that I was able to hand pluck my beets, wishing with each pull that I had endless time and energy to use more.  Throughout the season my husband and I are lucky to enjoy fresh beans, carrots and potatoes even though we only use a very small fraction of what she grows. Her other lucky recipients include neighbours, bridge club and church friends. Plus, family get together meals at her house are laced with  a dose of fresh buttery peas, pickled beets and tomato wedges.  I am a very lucky gal and grateful to benefit from all her hard work.

       

      Gardening is a great hobby to have, but a tremendous amount of work as it is with her large garden. So while I enjoy this Beet Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing I recognize her efforts and the importance of maintaining a residential garden no matter how big or small. I believe the skills and knowledge to grow a successful garden are not passed down by generation as they once were and that tradition is slowly slipping away. I suppose we have Google and You Tube now to help us out, but something tells me it’s not the same as having your parent or grandparent help you position the pitch fork “just right” underneath that hill of potatoes, show you why you need wire mesh for the peas or sending you out to cover up the tomatoes. So hats off to all those who still maintain their own fruit and vegetable gardens and take the time to share their knowledge and their bounty!

      Recipe source for Beet Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing:  Compelled To Cook

      Beet Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing
      Print Recipe
        Servings Prep Time
        2 people 20 minutes
        Cook Time
        15 minutes
        Servings Prep Time
        2 people 20 minutes
        Cook Time
        15 minutes
        Beet Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing
        Print Recipe
          Servings Prep Time
          2 people 20 minutes
          Cook Time
          15 minutes
          Servings Prep Time
          2 people 20 minutes
          Cook Time
          15 minutes
          Ingredients
          Salad
          Dressing
          Servings: people
          Instructions
          Salad
          1. Cook beets in lightly salted simmering water until fork tender, approximately 15-18 minutes depending on size. Prepare dressing while beets are cooking. Drain and cool with cold running water. Once cool to the touch, trim off top and bottom and peel off skin, which should remove easily. Place beets onto a paper towel lined plate to absorb any run off beet juice. Cut beets into large bite size chunks.
          2. Arrange approximately 2 cups of mixed greens onto plate. Cut apple half in half and remove core. Slice into 1/4" slices and spread half of the apple over mixed greens. Top with half the beets and sprinkle with 2 tbsp of pistachios. Drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with additional fresh dill fronds. Season with freshly cracked pepper and sea salt if desired. Serve immediately.
          Dressing
          1. Using a blender or mini food processor, blend together all ingredients except feta until combined and smooth. Add feta and pulse a few times to combine yet retain some feta texture. Keep chilled until ready to use.
          Recipe Notes

          -I used the elongated cylindra beets which cook quickly and peel easily.  Globe style beets can be used, just adjust cooking time according to size of beet.

          -This recipe makes about 2/3 cup of dressing which may be more than you need, however it is difficult to blend smaller amounts.  Use any extra on sweet potato fries or lamb burgers.

          -This recipe makes 4 starter size salads if desired.

          Grilled Riverside Pizza

          Grilled Riverside Pizza

          by | Aug 9, 2017 | GRILLING | 0 comments

          Pizza and camping? Not your usual combination, but why not? Individual Grilled Riverside Pizza is an easy and super fun meal to build up with your favourite toppings and takes only minutes to grill. For me it’s always pepperoni, green peppers and sometimes black olives with a sprinkle of fresh basil and of course plenty of cheese. A pretty standard pizza for some, but ohhh so perfect with crispy charred bits reminiscent of a wood burning oven. Plus eating it from a napkin in my camp chair enjoying a river view is pretty great too. Any grill will work for this, so you don’t necessarily need to be camping to pull this off, but where’s the fun in that?

          A little prep is required if you choose to make your own dough, but of course you can use pre made frozen bread dough which works well. Plus it’s convenient, leaving you more time to enjoy the great outdoors. The main trick is to work the dough fairly thin so it cooks quickly without burning over the open flame. It may also be necessary to pierce any large dough bubbles that form before turning to keep things cooking evenly. Most of all, have fun, be creative with your toppings and enjoy!

          Recipe source for Grilled Riverside Pizza:  Compelled To Cook

          Grilled Riverside Pizza
          Print Recipe
            Servings Prep Time
            5-6 15 minutes
            Cook Time Passive Time
            10 minutes 70 minutes
            Servings Prep Time
            5-6 15 minutes
            Cook Time Passive Time
            10 minutes 70 minutes
            Grilled Riverside Pizza
            Print Recipe
              Servings Prep Time
              5-6 15 minutes
              Cook Time Passive Time
              10 minutes 70 minutes
              Servings Prep Time
              5-6 15 minutes
              Cook Time Passive Time
              10 minutes 70 minutes
              Ingredients
              Pizza Dough
              Pizza
              Servings:
              Instructions
              Pizza Dough
              1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, stir together water, sugar and yeast. Allow to sit for 10 minutes. Stir in half the flour, olive oil and salt. Continue to knead with mixer, adding flour by the 1/4 cup until smooth and pulling away from the sides of the bowl, using a little less or a little more flour to achieve this. About 7 minutes. Place dough in an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to double in size in a warm draft free area, about an hour. Punch down dough and divide into 5-6 equal portions approximately 125g each.
              Pizza
              1. If making right away, preheat grill to medium and allow dough to rest for 10 minutes. Shape dough portion into an approximate 9"x6" rectangle or any shape really, the key is to have the dough fairly thin. Immediately place dough onto hot grill and cook for 3-4 minutes until dough is crispy on the bottom and the top is starting to puff a little. Pierce any large bubbles on the top and flip dough. Spread with pizza sauce and add desired pizza toppings and continue to cook for an additional 4-5 minutes until toppings are hot and dough is cooked. Remove from grill, drizzle with oil and top with additional fresh basil if desired. Cut into desired portions.
              2. If saving dough to use later, wrap portions with plastic wrap and chill or freeze dough until ready to use. Allow enough time to defrost dough in refrigerator and bring either to room temperature prior to grilling. Once dough is at room temperature, continue by working dough into a thin disc and proceed with grilling.
              Recipe Notes

              Use purchased frozen bread dough if desired.  Allow dough to come to room temperature and divide into portions prior to proceeding.

              Regardless of the dough used, the key is to work each portion fairly thin so it cooks quickly enough on the grill before becoming too dark.  It's also important to not over fill the pizza with toppings, as too much prevents the toppings from heating through and melting the cheese.