Chocolate, Oats and Walnut Bars

My sister in law made these for a family gathering in Kansas. Some of the best recipes are the ones that come from family members. They're the recipes that we hand down from one generation to another. These are delicious and the perfect Bar to take to a family gathering or a church event.
I've researched these Bars and I can't find any definition for the name that they are traditionally known for, so I simply all them Chocolate, Oats and Walnut Bars.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
A 15" X 10" X 1 "  Rimmed Sheet Pan. Lined with Foil extending over all sides by 2".
You'll be able to lift the uncut Bars out of the Pan to a flat surface, slide them onto the surface and cut into squares.
A Stand Mixer with a Paddle Attachment.

16 TBS Butter,  room temperature,divided.
2 C Brown Sugar
2 Large eggs
4 tsp Vanilla, divided
2 1/2 C Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
3 C Quick Cook Rolled Oats
1 - 14 oz. can Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 C Milk Chocolate Chips
1 C Chopped Walnuts


In the Stand Mixer with Paddle Attachment:
14 TBS Butter
Beat for 30 seconds.

Add:
Sugar
Beat until well combined.

Add:
Eggs
2 tsp Vanilla
Beat until well combined.

In a Mixing Bowl:
Flour
Baking Soda
Whisk Well

Add:
Oats
Mix just until combined.
Set Aside.


In a Saucepan on Low Heat:
Remaining Butter.
Sweetened Condensed Milk
Chocolate Chips
Heat until Chocolate is melted and stir to combine well.

Remove from Heat.
Fold in Walnuts
2 tsp Vanilla
Stir to combine well.


Remove 3 1/2 C of the Oats Mixture and Press it into the Foil Covered Pan.

Spread the Chocolate Mixture over the Oats Mixture.

Drop Dots of the remaining Oats Mixture evenly over the Chocolate.

Bake 25 minutes.
Remove Pan to a Rack to Cool Completely.

Use the Foil to lift it out of the Pan to a flat surface.
Slide the Bars onto the surface.
Cut into Squares.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Hobo Bread from Greenfield Village, Dearborn, Michigan

I grew up in Michigan. We often visited the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in nearby Dearborn. It was part of our education too. We had many field trips there as elementary school kids. My parents took us there every year. I was fascinated every time I went.

At Greenfield Village you can experience firsthand the sights, sounds and sensations of America's formation, where over 80 acres are filled with resourcefulness and ingenuity.
Three Hundred years of American perseverance serve as a living reminder that anything is possible.
Visit the Lab where Thomas Edison had his lightbulb moment or visit the Workshop where the Wright Brothers taught us to reach for the sky.
You can take a ride in a Model T car or walk through four vintage working farms.
You can visit Colonial Artisans and explore the place where the American can-do spirit will inspire you.
At a Taste of History in Greenfield Village they serve Hobo Bread. It can be served with Honey Mustard, Turkey Breast, Cheddar Cheese and Red Onion.
At the Michigan Café in the Henry Ford Museum, they serve Cherry Chicken Salad made with Fresh Greens, Candied Walnuts, a Hard Boiled Egg, A slice of Red Onion and a piece of Hobo Bread served with their House Michigan Maple Tarragon Dressing.
You can toast a slice of Hobo Bread and serve it with Cream Cheese, Muenster Cheese or fresh Parmesan Cheese.
It's always served Hot so that the Cheese toppings will melt.
I hope you make this vintage Bread and think about it's history or maybe someday you can visit Greenfield Village. It's a walk through American History.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
A 9" X 5" Loaf Pan coated with a Vegetable Cooking Spray.

1 C Raisins, soaked in 1 cup of Boiling Water for 1 hour. Retain the excess water.
2 C Flour
3/4 C Granulated Sugar
1/2 tsp Salt
2 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Vanilla
3TBS Butter, melted
1/2 C Chopped Walnuts

In a Mixing Bowl:
Flour
Sugar
Salt
Baking Soda
Whisk well.

Add:
Soaked Raisins + the Water.
Vanilla
Butter
Stir by hand until well combined.

Fold in:
Walnuts

Spoon the Batter into the Pan.
Bake 45 - 50 minutes.
a toothpick in the center should come out clean.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

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Choose a language and search the recipes.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Crock Pot Spinach Dip

Dips? Crock Pots? Great Combination!

Spinach Dip in a Crock Pot:

3 - 10 oz packages of Frozen Chopped Spinach. Thawed and Squeezed Dry.
14 oz. Artichoke Hearts, finely chopped.
1 Small Onion, diced.
1 1/2 C Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 C Grated Parmesan
8 oz. Cream Cheese, cubed.
1/2 C Mayonnaise
1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
1 C Sour Cream


Add all ingredients to a Crock Pot.
Stir to combine well.
Cook on Low for 3 Hours.

Serve with Slices of Toasted Baguette Bread, Crackers, or Tortilla Chips.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Florentine Soup

I happen to love any type of Soup. I usually make a new Soup every week during cold months. This is just another one of my favorite Soup recipes.

Here's what you'll need:
A large Cast Iron Enamel Soup Pot or Dutch Oven.

1 TBS Olive Oil
3 Cloves of Garlic, minced
2 small Onion, diced.
1 TBS Fresh Chopped Thyme
1 TBS Fresh Chopped Basil Leaves
4 C Vegetable Broth
1 C Water
1 C uncooked Orzo
2 C Fresh Baby Spinach Leaves
2 - 15 oz. Cans of Cannellini Beans, drained.
1 Lemon, Zest and Juice
Salt and Pepper to taste.

In the Soup Pot on Medium Heat:
Oil, until hot.
Garlic
Onion
Cook stirring for 3 minutes.

Add:
Thyne
Basil
Cook stirring for an additional minute.

Add:
Broth
Water
Bring to a Boil.

Add:
Orzo
Reduce heat and Simmer 10 minutes.

Add:
Spinach
Beans
Cook stirring for 2 minutes.

Add:
Zest and Lemon Juice.
Salt and Pepper to taste.
Stir to combine well.

Serve Hot.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Dishpan Cookies

There are different descriptions for why these cookies are called "Dishpan."
The recipe for the dough is so big that it needs to be mixed in a "Dishpan."
Or, they contain everything but the "Dishpan."

It's a very large recipe.

The one thing that I find interesting is that they're cut out with the Ring of a Wide Mouth Mason Jar.

Wide Mouth Canning Lids with Rings.

I kept the title as researched.

Dishpan Cookies

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
A Stand Mixer or a Large Vintage Dishpan!
A ring from a Wide Mouth Mason Jar.
Sheet Pans lined with Parchment Paper

2 1/2 C Granulated Sugar
16 TBS Butter, melted
2 C Molasses
4 Large Eggs, beaten
8 C Flour
1 TBS Salt
1 TBS Ginger
2 TBS Baking Soda
8 C Oatmeal
3 C Raisins (Soaked in 1/4 C Hot Water for an Hour) Drain well.
2 C Chopped Walnuts
Coarse Sugar for garnish before baking.

In a Stand Mixer.......... or in a Large Vintage Dishpan, by hand:
Sugar
Butter
Molasses
Eggs
Beat until well combined.

In a Large Mixing Bowl......... or in a Large Vintage Dishpan, by hand:
Flour
Salt
Ginger
Baking Soda
Oatmeal
Mix well by hand with a Wooden Spoon.

Fold in:
Raisins
Walnuts
Add Dry ingredients to Wet ingredients and mix to combine well.

Roll the dough to 1/4" thick.
Cut out Cookies with the Canning Jar Ring.
Transfer to the Sheet Pan.

Brush tops with water and sprinkle with Coarse Sugar.

Bake 8 - 10 minutes.

Remove Pan to a Rack to cool for 5 minutes.
Transfer Cookies to the Rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Tortilla Roll Up Appetizer

This is sort of a Go-To appetizer in Texas.
You can  customize the filling to your own taste, added to the Sour Cream /Cream Cheese mixture.

Some Suggestions:

Diced Red and Green Bell Pepper
Diced Red Onion
Chopped Green Onion
Chopped Green Olives
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Taco Seasoning

Here's what you'll need:

5 - 10" Flour Tortillas
8 oz. Cream Cheese, room temperature.
1 C Sour Cream
1 - 4.5 oz. can of Diced Green Chiles, drained.
1 - 4.5 oz. can of chopped Black Olives, drained.
1 C Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese
1 TBS Adobo Seasoning

This is my favorite Tex - Mex Seasoning.

If you can't find Adobo Seasoning, you can make your own:

2 TBS Salt
1 TBS Paprika
2 tsp Pepper
1 1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
1 1/2 tsp Cumin
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Chili Powder
Mix well in a small bowl.


In a Mixing Bowl with an electric hand mixer:
Cream Cheese
Sour Cream
Beat until Creamy Smooth.

Add:
Chiles
Olives
Cheese
Seasoning
Fold in by hand until completely incorporated.

Spread the Mix evenly over the Tortillas.
Roll tightly.
Wrap each in Plastic Wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Just prior to serving:
Slice each Roll.
Transfer to a Serving Platter and serve with your favorite Salsa.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!