Fabulous Fig Bars

Fabulous Fig Bars

Prep time: 45 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 24 bars (about 2.5 x 2 inches)
Serving Size 1 bar (about 2.5 x 2 inches)

Ingredients

16 ounces stemmed, chopped dried figs
1⁄2 cup chopped walnuts
1⁄3 cup sugar
1⁄4 cup orange juice (juice from 1/2 orange)
2 Tablespoons hot water
1⁄2 cup margarine or butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1⁄4 cups old fashioned rolled oats

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray or oil a 9x13-inch baking pan.
2. Combine figs, walnuts, sugar, orange juice and hot water in a mixing bowl and set aside.
3. Mix together margarine and brown sugar until creamy. Add egg and mix until smooth.
4. Mix flour and baking soda. Stir into egg mixture. Blend in oats to make soft dough.
5. Reserve 1 cup of dough for topping. With floured fingertips, press the remaining dough into a thin layer on the bottom of baking pan.
6. Spread fig mixture evenly over the dough. Crumble reserved dough over top, allowing fig mixture to show.
7. Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in baking pan. Cut into 24 bars (about 2.5 x 2 inches)

Baked Berry Oatmeal

Baked Berry Oatmeal

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 6 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1⁄2 cup brown sugar
1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups nonfat or 1% milk
4 teaspoons butter or margarine, melted
2 cups cane berries, fresh or frozen (raspberries, blackberries, marionberries)
1⁄4 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until blended; Stir in brown sugar, vanilla, milk and melted butter.
4. Pour wet Ingredients into the dry Ingredients and stir until well combined.
5. Add the berries and stir lightly to evenly distribute.  Pour mixture into 2 quart baking dish.  Sprinkle with chopped nuts if desired.
6. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
7. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours

Very Berry Muesli (‘mew-slee’)

Very Berry Muesli (‘mew-slee’)

Prep time: 5 minutes
Makes: 5 cups
Serving Size 1 cup
Chill Time: 6 to 12 hours

Ingredients

1 cup low fat fruit yogurt
1 cup old fashioned rolled oats (raw)
1⁄2 cup non-fat or 1% milk
1⁄2 cup dried fruit (try raisins, apricots, dates)
1⁄2 cup chopped apple (about 1/3 a medium apple [3” diameter])
1⁄2 cup frozen blueberries
1⁄4 cup chopped, toasted walnuts

Directions

1. In medium bowl, mix oats, yogurt, and milk.
2. Cover and refrigerate for 6 to 12 hours.
3. Add dried and fresh fruit, and mix gently.
4. Serve scoops of muesli in small dishes. Sprinkle each serving with chopped nuts.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Muesli makes a delicious breakfast. Try drizzling with milk.
• Substitute any frozen, canned/drained, or fresh chopped fruit for apples and blueberries.
• Flavor boosters: cinnamon, grated orange peel.

Cinnamon Baked Pears

Cinnamon Baked Pears

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 4 pear halves
Serving Size 1 half pear

Ingredients

2 ripe pears
3 Tablespoons walnuts, chopped
2 teaspoons honey or brown sugar
1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 Tablespoon dried cranberries

Directions

1. Cut the pears in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon or melon baller.
2. Place pears in a baking dish. Fill centers with chopped walnuts and drizzle about half a teaspoon of honey or brown sugar over each pear half.
3. Sprinkle each half with cinnamon and cranberries.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 35 minutes or until pears are soft when poked with a fork. Serve warm.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Honey is not recommended for children under 1 year old.

Waldorf Salad

Waldorf Salad

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size 2/3 cup 

Ingredients

1⁄3 cup walnuts, chopped
2 apples, cored and diced
1 cup celery, diced
1⁄2 cup raisins
1⁄4 cup non-fat plain yogurt
1⁄2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place chopped walnuts on a baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes. Stir occasionally until they are evenly toasted.
3. Combine apples, celery, nuts, and raisins.
4. Stir together yogurt, sugar, and lemon juice. Pour over apple mixture and toss lightly.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Serve this dish with a whole-wheat roll for a hearty meal.
• Freeze extra lemon juice to use later.

Spring Green Salad

Spring Green Salad

Prep time: 15 minutes
Makes: 10 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

6 ounces spinach (about 7 cups)
3 oranges
1 1⁄2 cups strawberries, halved
1 cup walnut pieces (toasted if desired) 

DRESSING
1 teaspoon sugar
1⁄4 teaspoon paprika
2 Tablespoons orange juice (juice from 1/4 orange)
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 1⁄2 teaspoons vinegar
1 teaspoon finely chopped onion
2 Tablespoons salad oil

Directions

1. Wash and dry spinach, tear into pieces, and chill.
2. To prepare orange: Cut off peel and membrane of outer part of the sections. Using a paring knife gently cut out sections from membrane edges. You end up with orange sections with no outer membrane.
3. To make dressing: Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake well or blend in a blender.
4. Right before serving, toss orange and strawberries with walnuts and spinach. Add dressing to coat salad. Serve immediately.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Freeze extra lemon juice to use later.

Turkey Salad

Turkey Salad

Prep time: 10 minutes
Makes: 8 servings
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

1 1⁄2 cups cooked turkey or smoked turkey, diced
1⁄2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
1⁄2 cup raisins or other dried fruit
3⁄4 cup celery, chopped (about 1.5 stalks)
1⁄4 cup diced red or yellow onion (1/4 medium onion)
1⁄4 cup diced carrot
1⁄4 cup parsley, chopped (optional)
1 red apple, cored and chopped
1⁄3 cup low-fat mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon vinegar (cider, red or white)

Directions

1. Mix turkey, nuts, raisins, celery, onions, carrots, parsley and apple in a large bowl.
2. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise and vinegar; mix well.
3. Toss meat mixture with dressing and chill.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Serve cold with lettuce and tomato wedges, or use as sandwich filling.