printscreen(“Hello World!”);

Yeah, that was no language in particular.  I’m just happy it looks more like the languages I learned in CS and EE classes than the MIS classes.  Because I’d still be typing if I tried to make that in COBOL.  *shudder* COBOL.

This is the New JustMichelle site.  New interface, new posts, new everything.  Well, same domain.  I think I’m just going to scrap all of the Old JustMichelle, except the granola bars recipe.  I don’t want to lose that.

Mix and Match Chewy Granola Bars

Required Ingredients

4 c rolled-oats
3/4 c butter
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c honey
1/2 t vanilla
1/2 t salt

Optional Ingredients 

0-2 c dried fruit
0-1 c nuts
0-1/2 c seeds
0-1/2 t other extract or flavor
0-3 t spices

Preheat oven to 350° Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper.

On a large sheet-pan spread out oats and any nuts, seeds and spices. Toast these at 350° for 15 minutes stirring occassionally to avoid burning. At the same time, in a medium sauce pan or stove-top safe mixing bowl, melt butter together with brown sugar, honey, vanilla, other extracts and salt. Stir to avoid burning until butter is fully melted and sugar dissolves.

Remove oats, et al, from oven and combine all ingredients in mixing bowl or sauce pan (if large enough). Stir until well combined. Turn out into prepared baking dish and press into sides making even and level. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely. Remove from pan and cut into bars. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Mix-and-Match Ideas:

Hawaiian: 

1/2 c dried pineappled, chopped; 1/2 c dried unsweetened shredded coconut; 1/2 c macademia nuts

Amaretto:

1 c dried cherries; 1 c almonds, chopped; 1/2 t amaretto or 1/4 t each cherry extract and almond extract

Apple Cinnamon:

1 c dried apple slices, chopped; 1 t cinnamon

Simply Spiced:

1 t cinnamon; 1 t ginger; 1 t cloves

Peanut Butter Chocolate

Substitute 1/4 c butter for 1/2 c peanut butter.  Add 1/2 c chocolate chips just before stirring.  They will melt in, don’t freak out.

Important Info  

Things that I discovered from making several batches:  Dried Fruit tends to make the bars fall apart more.  If you are trying to make a really tidy snack, don’t use dried fruit.  If you don’t mind crumbly granola bars, dried fruit is tasty!