Bountiful Baskets

I posted this on my other blog, but wanted you guys to know about it too!

Hello all.
I know that I am probably the last person to have tried this, but I finally tried a Bountiful Basket! Have you heard of them? They are AWESOME! It is a food co-op thingy that lets you get fresh produce for cheap! I got a laundry basket full of produce for only 16.50. There are tons of these things around the state. I feel sheepish because it took me so long to try it out. Check it out HERE

Main Basket:

Cheeries & Plums

String Beans

Tomatoes & Bananas

Broccoli

Can you believe all this loot? I got some more stuff, but we had already put it in the fridge! Wowzers. That is at least $50.00 worth of produce.
I know there are lots of options lately for fresh produce, but I love the surprise that this option gives you. It kind of makes you learn how to cook with stuff if you haven't before. My friend Rachel likes this because she is a foodie and gets to try new recipes with her "surprise" ingredients. I think they gave out Bok Choy & Brussel Sprouts last week.
I am just so excited to save money on healthy things for once. I know that couponing can save you TONS of money, but often I find that the coupons are for stuff that we don't eat because it is so processed. So...Yay for saving money and for eating healthy!
Try it out and let me know what you think. Oh.. and make sure you check it out before Monday because Monday is typically the day that they "place orders" and the slots go quick.
Happy Weekend. Anyone else going to see Toy Story 3?

Peanut Butta Cups

Hey, it's me again. Natster. :) Here is a lovely recipe that rocked the Holidays. Seriously, everyone that tried these LOVED them. Hope they rock your world.

I found this lovely recipe over at Chow. Head over there for the recipe.
I made a few substitutions so that the filling would be a little thicker (more graham cracker, more PB.)
They were great and we liked them the longer they sat. Enjoy! (note...as I am NOT a self-proclaimed food photographer, I am pretty proud of this one! :) yay! )

Lemon Bars

I originally found this recipe here at Bakerella. I made some changes that seem to work better for me, you can find those below!

Lemon Bars
Crust:
1 cup butter
1 3/4 cup flour
2/3 cup confectioner’s sugar (plus more for dusting)
Topping:
1 1/2 cup plain sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup lemon juice (I recommend a lovely combo of lemon and lime juice!)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Grease and flour a 9 X 13 pan
Crust:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and confectioner’s sugar
• Cut in butter until combined and crumbly.
• Press mixture into bottom of pan.
• Bake for 10-15 minutes or until lightly golden.

Topping:

• While crust is baking, prepare topping.
• In a larger bowl, add sugar, flour, and baking powder.
• Then add eggs and lemon juice.
• Mix well and pour on top of warm baked crust.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes.
• When cool, dust with confectioner’s sugar and refrigerate.

I, like Bakerella, LOVE them cold. YAY for lemon!
♥ Nat

Molasses Crinckles (aka Gingersnaps)

I got this recipe from Lisa Bearnson (scrapbooker extraordinare). I love them. The trick is to take them out of the oven as soon as they "crack" on top and then don't let them sit on the hot pan. Take them off quick! Enjoy!

Molasses Cookies

Cream together for two minutes:
1 cup shortening
1 cup butter
2 eggs

Add slowly and cream for five minutes:
2 cups sugar

Add to above mixture:
1/2 cup molasses
1 t. salt
4 t. soda
2 t. cinnamon
2 t. ginger
2 t. ground cloves
4 cups flour

Roll in balls, then in sugar.

Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. These are light and fluffy. Warning: You can't eat just one!Lisa Bearnson