Since I’ve gotten home, my house has been rather chaotic. My mom took a trip, and is leaving again tomorrow for work. My sister left for San Francisco a week ago, and comes home tomorrow only to move back up to college this week. Nevertheless, I have been alternating between my own and my dad’s house, determinedly watching my way through my shows recorded on DVR (if I don’t soon, they’ll expire!), taking long aimless walks, and sorting through piles and piles of cooking magazines. Torn between keeping them and ripping out the recipes, I tore out nearly all the recipes in each issue, and am practically in the same place I started. Only now I have a mountain of papers. Ugh. There is no solution.
 My host sister Sara was in New York for two weeks studying English, so I got to take her out to dinner with my family; she’s adorable and of course they loved her. She loves sushi, which we happily ate for dinner that night, but thinks that all American food tastes like butter. Maybe it’s just living in New York that there are so many good restaurant options, but I hardly ever find that my food tastes like butter. We never cook with it at home (always olive oil- I promise!)…not that there’s anything wrong with butter.
Between moving back and forth, home-cooked meals have been somewhat scarce and I am dying for some hearty, melty, comfort food goodness. But meanwhile, my nutritionist Dina gave me the recipe for these granola bars that she makes that I love, and the binding agent is peanut butter. For me, peanut butter is one of my favorite foods, and it always makes me think of my parents packing me a PB&J when I was little- so these bars are perfect for my cooking hiaitus.This must be the easiest recipe to make. Ever. Baking is optional. For lack of a better description, they taste very nutty with a little bit of sweetness from the honey. But really, that’s all they are- oats and nuts, held together by more nuts (PB) and honey. They’re 100% natural,  and they’re so good for you- the “Did You Know?” side of my recipe sheet says they’re high in fiber & protein. I have no objections.

Almond Nut Energy Bars
recipe from Dina Zamfotis, http://www.dinazamfotis.com

These bars were very crumbly, and some of them didn’t hold up once cut (perfect for snacking, but not great bar-wise). I am thinking about adding an egg to the batter before baking, to help bind the ingredients so they keep their form once cut. I will update when I try it.

2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup raw almonds
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cashews
1 1/2 cups natural peanut butter
3/4 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla

Combine oats, raisins, almonds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and cashews in a large bowl.

Mix peanut butter, honey and vanilla in a microwavable bowl. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir, microwave for 20 seconds, and stir again until the mixture has a smooth consistancy with minimal lumps.

Combine wet and dry ingredients. On a greased 7x11inch baking pan (or a baking sheet), spread the mixture into a 1-inch high rectangle.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Let cool, then cut into 12 bars. OR let mixture sit for about 10 minutes, then cut into bars (they will be slightly less firm, but harden upon refrigeration).