Cranberry Bar

And after the tandoori potatoes, one of course needs something sweet for dessert. Again, this is something on the healthier side - which does not take away anything from its taste.

Cranberries are something which are very very healthy and let themselves be combined at will with any number of spices - the result is almost always good. Of course, fresh cranberries are not always easy to get - but the dried or frozen option is almost as good.

The nomenclature "Cranberry Bar" is probably somewhat of an understatement and slightly misleading, as it contains tons of other ingredients - but a Cranberry-Oats-Cinnamon-Nutmeg-Cardamom-Cloves-Hazelnut-Almonds-bar is probably a bit of a stretch on the tongue and the title bar.

Ingredients 

4 tbsp - oat flakes

4 tbsp heaped - whole wheat flour

3 tbsp - golden syrup (you may use increase the amount)

5 tbsp - apple sauce

3 tbsp - sunflower oil

3 tbsp - low fat milk

2 tbsp - hazelnuts, finely crushed

2 tbsp - almonds, finely crushed

2 tbsp - dried cranberries

1/4 tsp - bicarbonate of soda

1/2 tsp - cinnamon powder, clove powder, cardamom powder

a generous pinch of nutmeg powder

a little orange rind

a little granulated or coarse brown sugar to sprinkle on the dough 

Method 

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degree C and grease a rectangular tray.
2. In a bowl, mix together the golden syrup, apple sauce, oil and milk.
3. Whisk together the rest of the ingredients (except the brown sugar) in an another bowl.
4. Add the liquid mixture to the flour mixture and mix lightly. Do not overmix. 
5. Spread the mixture on the greased tray and sprinkle a little brown sugar over it.
6. Bake for approx 14-15 minutes. Allow to rest in the oven for a couple of minutes then, let it cool in the tray .
7. When cool, cut into squares.

Makes - 12 small pieces

These cranberry bars were an absolute hit with my husband and my friends.

Wanna have a bite ? :) 

Wishing you all a Happy 2010!

Oat Chocolate Brownies

The first commandment for my husband and me is: Thou shalt indulge! and what better than chocolate – the food of the gods - to do that. My husband and I both just love chocolate – anytime, in any form and in almost any combination. So of course, the first recipe on this blog just has to be a chocolate one.

And here is the recipe for these scrumptious brownies.

Ingredients                  

125 gram - whole wheat flour
50 gram - oat flakes
45 gram - dried sweet strawberries, chopped
1/2 tsp - bicarbonate of soda
4 tbsp- sunflower oil
5 tbsp - buttermilk
11 tbsp - low fat milk
2 tbsp - honey
1/2 cup - dark muscovado sugar
4 tbsp - cocoa powder, unsweetened
2 tbsp - chocolate chips
a few drops of vanilla essence

To decorate- a few tbsp of icing sugar mixed with some warm water and a little cocoa powder(sweetened)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degree C and line a square 20 cm pan with an aluminium foil.
2. Place the sugar, honey, vanilla essence, oil, buttermilk and milk in a bowl and mix well.
3. In an another bowl, mix well whole wheat flour, oat flakes, chopped dried strawberries, cocoa powder, bicarbonate of soda and choco chips.
4. Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture and tip in the liquid mixture. Mix lightly with a wooden/silicon spatula. Do not overmix.
5. Pour the mixture into the lined pan.
6. Place the pan in the centre of the preheated oven and bake for abt 18- 20 mins or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
7. Let the brownies cool in the pan for abt 10 mins, then cut it into square pieces and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Drizzle the icing over the brownies and sprinkle some cocoa powder(sweetened).

Makes 16 pieces

These brownies are soft and moist, and the strawberries adds on to the flavour.

We enjoyed them with a cup of tea.

Enjoy!