Finally...let's make granola bars...

On cookie sheet w/sides spread out 4 c. oats.  (I use old-fashioned, not quick)  Add a handful of coconut (unsweetened if you can) and a handful of some sort of nut, I used sliced almonds here.  I added a couple Tbsp. of ground flax seed.  I keep toasted wheat germ on hand and add that after toasting the oats.  Toast at 350 for 20 min. stir /every 5 min.  This step can be done day(s) ahead. 

In a pan on stove, bring to a boil - 1/2 cup each: butter, brown sugar, and honey.  Cook for 4 to 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and add 1/2 teaspoon each vanilla and baking soda. 

Walgreen's often runs honey and the large bag of blue diamond almonds on special for $5.  These are good to keep on hand.

Cook for 4 to 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and add 1/2 teaspoon each vanilla and baking soda. Caution - the mixture will quickly expand.

Pour over toasted oat mixture.  Stir well.  When it starts to cool, throw in a handful of butterscotch chips (they'll start to melt a little).  Press into a foil-lined 9x13 pan.  Top with a handful of mini chocolate chips.  Place in frig. to harden.  When hard, cut into 18-24 pieces.  Wrap in saran wrap or place in baggies.  Store in refrigerator.  Be careful eating them cold, they will be hard.

Other ingredients can easily be substituted.  Just start with 4 cups oats and 2 cups of mix-ins. 
Experiment with different combinations.

Two by Two

Happy Pi Day

Building a frog cake...

Single 8" round
Frost the top and add a board for the next
cake to sit on

Single 9" round

Cut off some to smooth out the back
Add it to the butt area
I left the overhang in the front

Frost the top and add yet another board for the next cake to sit on

Add some tops cut from the 8" and 9" to
make the head domed on top

Add bug eyes and brows
I used 'egg' cupcakes

This is chocolate cake scrap molded to make the
thighs

More egg cupcakes for the legs

I didn't end up leaving the last pieces
I did the feet with frosting instead
Crumb coat

Frost the whole cake
Add warts, mouth line, and more lift to the eyebrows
This will all get sprayed

Spray cake
I used brown, green, and yellow

















Add buttercream for eyes
The eyeballs are the only fondant on the cake

Who wouldn't want to work here...

...and, he tried to hide, but look who's at the end of my rainbow...












Remember the Cranberry Crisps I was trying to make to duplicate the ones at Whole Foods...
Here they are:

You can see lots of goodies are mixed in these...

They are yummy!  I just need to find the right spread to serve with them...
Coming this week...HomeMade Granola Bar tutorial and a step-by-step look at building a 3D frog cake.

French Onion Soup Tutorial - Complete with pictures

The beauty of soup is that you can change the amounts of any/all the ingredients to taste and still end up with...soup!  I put my measurements out to the side for those of you who prefer an amount to go by.
Cut up onions (3 lbs)
Saute in butter (1 stick)
Cook slowly for 20-30 minutes til translucent
Add 6-8 cups beef broth....I didn't measure.
This brand is from Sam's (keeps a long time in the frig)

At this stage, your soup is thin and light colored.










Add 1 Tbsp. or more of Kitchen Bouquet to soup to darken.
This is that thing your mom always had in the spice cabinet...
good luck finding this at the grocery store!
Whisk 1 1/2 to 2 Tbsp. corn starch into a cup of water.
With the soup on medium, pour in and stir til thickened.










Add Bouquet Garni spice to taste.

I get a blend from the Spice Shop in Soulard Market.

Consists of oregano, thyme, and bay leaves among other things.

This soup is generally served with a slice of French Bread topped with Gruyere cheese.  This is then placed under a salamander heater/broiler til the cheese is hot and bubbly.  A simpler substitute is swiss cheese on thinly sliced bagels baked for 10-15 minutes at 375.

This is the secret ingredient!
A few shakes of this makes a huge difference.

Break up a couple pieces of bread in your bowl.
Top with soup and enjoy!

Day 10...time to make the goop into something edible.

 Turn this








into this