No Bake Oatmeal Raisin Bars

I had this recipe bookmarked a couple of days ago because of it's simplicity and I got to try it yesterday evening as I had all the needed ingredients in my pantry. I also wanted to see if there was even a slight possibility of my girl approving these nutritious and yummy bars. My teenager loves to snack on mostly dry fruits and nuts after school but combining them together in some other snack form other than a trail mix usually won't do. She is not a cereal person and she would not touch store bought granola bars with a barge pole. I figured probably she would like these if she sees with her own eyes what went in there and therefore involved her in making these bars. 

She decided not to mind the grain factor considering that all the other remaining ingredients are her favorites and decided to give them a try without a nudge from me. She in fact loved them since it tasted like chocolate to her. Don't ask me how but I didn't want to argue with her when she was eating without complaining and the bars are filled with all the goodies. 

These granola bars can be set by placing them in the refrigerator / freezer for about an hour or overnight. Wrap them individually in parchment paper or plastic or foil wraps for easy transportation. Store the individually wrapped bars in a freezer-safe bag and freeze them if they are not going to be consumed immediately. The quantity of raisins used here provide sufficient sweetness to the bars but at the same time contribute to their soft texture. I think even decreasing their quantity by a small amount wouldn't effect the recipe.

Recipe Source: Here
Ingredients: (Makes 16 bars)
2 and 1/2 cup raisins
1 and 1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup walnuts
1/2 cup shredded / desiccated coconut
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup sunflower seeds (I used honey roasted sunflower kernels.)

Directions:
* Line a 8 x 8 inch pan with parchment paper.
* Add everything except sunflower seeds to a food processor and pulse just until the mixture starts to clump together.
* Add sunflower seeds finally and just mix together.
* Transfer the mixture into the pan and press firmly. Refrigerate / freeze the mixture until it firms up, about an hour or overnight.
* Remove from the pan and slice into bars using a sharp knife.

Note:
1. The mixture can be shaped into balls instead of bars.
2. Other dry fruits, nuts and seeds can be substituted instead of the ones used here for a variation.

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Greek Yogurt and Raspberry Parfait

My final post of this week is going to be this quick and delicious parfait which needs only three ingredients. This is one of those recipes which needs no recipe as such since anyone can blindly layer the ingredients. This recipe is child's play if one is using store bought ingredients.

The ingredients needed for this parfait are granola, yogurt and berries. The granola can be either a homemade batch of one's preference or store bought one. One can use either a single kind or a combo of berries they have on hand or even other fruit pieces. The yogurt can be a flavored or plain one. Even non fat yogurt will do.

I used store bought low fat granola and paired it with raspberries. The yogurt was a homemade low fat one with the consistency of a Greek yogurt kind. I am not mentioning the quantities here since one can use them as needed.

This makes a quick fix, wholesome breakfast during morning rush hours or when one is not in a mood to cook. Or when fixing breakfast for just one.

Pour yogurt into the bottom of a couple of tall glasses. Then granola and fruit. Alternate layers of granola and fruit with yogurt until glasses are full. One can sprinkle some slivered almonds or nuts over the top if preferred. Serve parfaits immediately to keep granola crunchy.

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Chokladbollar - No Bake Swedish Chocolate Balls

These yummy coconut coated oat - chocolate balls are from Sweden and are quite kid friendly. They are very easy to prepare and can be made in no time. The liquid traditionally used to bind these balls is coffee though any other mentioned in the list below can be used if serving kids.

Ingredients: (Yield 6 balls)
2.5 to 3 tbsp. butter, softened but not melted
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1.5 tbsp. cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 tbsp. liquid (It can be coffee, water, cream, milk, chocolate, orange juice or any other liquid of your choice.)
Shredded coconut

 Method:
* Add all ingredients except coconut to a bowl and mix until well combined.
* Divide the mixture into 6 or 7 portions and roll each into a ball and keep them aside.
* Now roll the balls in shredded coconut and refrigerate them until firm. Or freeze them if in a hurry.


This goes to Blogging marathon #86, under the theme 'All that come round are laddus?'. Check out the page to read what other marathoners are cooking.

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Microwave Coconut Oatmeal

 
Everyone out there knows that oatmeal is one of the quickest and healthy breakfast options around and I don't need to reiterate the benefits of this humble dish. However oatmeal may get monotonous after certain point, if one sticks to the plain version despite the healthy goal dangling in front of our eyes. I usually keep rotating the variations for the same reason and today's version uses coconut. I finish off the preparation of oatmeal with a generous dose of coconut milk and use some fresh fruit and a sprinkling of sweetened desiccated coconut in place of the sweetener and the result is a tasty bowl of jazzed up oatmeal that can be prepared in a jiffy.
 
Ingredients: (1 serving)
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
3/4 cup dairy milk / water
3/4 cup coconut milk
2 tbsp. toasted desiccated sweetened coconut
1/4 cup chopped fresh fruit / dry fruits / nuts
Sweetener to taste if preferred

Method:
* Add the desiccated coconut to a pan and toast until it turns golden brown, stirring constantly to avoid burning. Remove from the fire and keep it aside.
* Meanwhile, add oats and water / dairy milk to a microwave safe bowl and place it in the microwave. Cook until the oats are done.
* Remove the bowl and stir in the coconut milk, toasted coconut, fresh fruit and sweetener if using. Serve immediately.



This is going to be a part of Blogging marathon #62 under the theme 'coconut' and check here to find out what other marathoners are cooking today.

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Microwave Apple Oatmeal

I wish all my readers a happy, healthy and prosperous new year. May all your wishes and dreams come true this year.
 
I am starting the new year on a healthy note, with this simple, humble dish that takes about five minutes from start to finish. There is no need for any sweeteners in this fiber rich breakfast as the apple does the job. If still one prefers extra sweetness, a sweetener of choice can be added. Besides the natural sweetness, the crunchy apple bits lend a nice texture to the oatmeal.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1 cup milk (I use fat-free milk.)
One small sized apple, finely diced
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon (optional)
2 tbsp. nuts / dry fruits of your choice

Method:
* Add everything except the toppings to a big sized microwave safe glass bowl. Microwave for 4 to 5 minutes or until done, stirring intermittently once or twice. Keep an eye on the oatmeal to avoid the milk flowing over into the microwave.
* Remove the container and add extra warm milk if needed, to reach the desired consistency.
* Add toppings of choice and serve immediately.

This goes to Blogging marathon #60 under the theme 'Healthy Recipes / Diabetic Recipes'. Check the link to see what other marathoners are cooking.

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