Key Lime Bars

As someone who is intimately inspired by Nature, I have been wondering about how to welcome Spring! After the gloomy white winter, when the sights and smells of Spring in its daffodils and lavenders, song birds and soothing breeze awaken the spirits of life, I want the same spirits in my kitchen!
Key limes are known for their unique flavor and acidity and they are quite hard to find in the super market. But when I found them, I had to bring them home. Being fond of citrus desserts, I considered tweaking the recipes of lemon bar and Key lime pie into Key lime bars - bite size desserts with the right zing and zest!

Baking Temperature: 350 F
Recipe size for 8 x 8  inch baking pans

Ingredients:

Shortbread Crust -

1. 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
2. 1/4 cup icing sugar
3. 1/8 tsp salt
4. 1 cup flour

Mix all ingredients into a crumbly/sandy texture -  I used hands! Spread on the baking tray till even and with slightly raised edged. Bake till golden brown on the edges - took me about 18 mins. Let cool on a wire rack.

Filling -

1. 1 cup granulated white sugar
2. 2 large eggs at room temperature
3. 1/3 cup fresh Key lime juice (you can use lemon juice for lemon bars)
4. 1 can sweetened condensed milk
5. 1 tbsp Key lime zest
6. 1 drop green food color (optional)
7. 2 tbsp all purpose flour

Mix into a smooth texture, pour of the cooled crust and bake uncovered for 20 - 25 mins. The center should still be jiggly. Allow to cool at room temperature. Refrigerate for 2 - 3 hours. You can top with whipped cream or icing sugar. ENJOY!

Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

In the rush of the morning when one has to get ready and be out of the door in less than an hour's time, breakfast table is something easy to skip. But breakfast on the go is hit and essentially what I resort to...a granola bar on one hand and the wheel on the other. After having explored most options for granola bars available in the super market, I am honestly bored of them. So, gave it a thought - how about a cookie -turned granola bar recipe and without the ton of sodium. I am very happy with how these turned out and above all, I can control my favorite fruits and nuts in them. In a word, these are Delish.....

Serving Size:

Yields 20 large cookies

Baking temperature: 350 F
Ingredients:

1. 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter
2. 1 cup packed light brown sugar (I did not  have on hand- so used 1/2 cup molasses and 1/2 cup white sugar)
3. 1 large egg at room temperature
4. 1 tsp vanilla extract (I used orange extract because I love the citrussy flavor)
5. 3/4 cup all purpose flour
6. 1/2 tsp baking soda
7. 1/2 tsp salt
8. 3 cups old fashioned oats (uncooked)
9. 1 cup nuts or chocolate chips
10. 1 cup dried raisins or cranberries

Steps:

1. cream the butter until smooth
2. add sugar and cream with the butter
3. add egg and essence and blend
4. add rest of the ingredients and mix well with a spatula
5. scoop out mixture on a parchment lined baking sheet (I use ice-cream scoop)
6. Bake for 12-15 mins until edges are crisp and center is soft
7. Let cool on a wire rack
8. store in an airtight container