A few years ago, for my birthday, I asked Gary to find me a little desk, I initially wanted to have it on the front porch, where I liked to sit on warm mornings. He went in search of, and found, a cute, old, school desk, it was a little tall and painted mission brown, but I still loved it. He immediately cut a wee portion off the legs to make it the correct height, it was put in place, still brown, but it fitted and really didn’t look out of place, but I never really used it.
My little brown desk on the front porch…
A few months ago I decided that I wanted to move it into the kitchen, a place where I could make notes as I worked on recipes, or other kitchen jobs. We found some paint in the shed, and Gary got to work sanding it back and giving it a paint of antique white. It looks fabulous! It has a little bottle that sits snugly in the ink well hole, where I can place a single flower from the garden. It makes me smile.
Where it sits, is where I feel it should have been from the time I received it, but it’s taken me this long to realise it. The kitchen table is no longer covered in books, the ones that I need at hand fit either in the desk or on the little ledge next to the desk. Just above the desk is a chopping board, a gift from my son and his family, one that he, pyrographed my sba’s kitchen logo on – it’s very precious.
In the last couple of weeks I spent time sitting with some books, I wanted a kid friendly treat that also contained some whole foods – oats, nuts, dried fruit etc. I did a muesli bar, it was delicious, but for the kids, probably a bit ho-hum. Then I started to see recipes using crispy rice puff cereal, but none of them really, totally fit the bill. Finally I decided to treat the recipes that I found as inspiration, cave a little with regard to sweetness, and come up with the uninspiringly named Crispy (Christmas) Treat Bars.
While they have marshmallows and chocolate, they are loaded with nuts, oats, and dried fruit. They cut nicely, and are a delicious treat. Some would cut them into bars, but I really think that they could be cut smaller, too. It almost resembles White Christmas, and is easy to decorate with a festive flair to share with family and friends at this time of year. I’m loving using dehydrated edible flowers, and a little edible gold leaf.
I was looking for a recipe that would be a treat for all ages, but I also wanted one where I could sneak in some whole foods, oats, nuts, dried fruit, etc. I surrounded myself with three different recipes, none of which really met my needs, but all provided inspiration and tips for this delicious recipe that I finally come up with. Yes, it has marshmallows and white chocolate, just don't tell them about the oats, nuts and fruit!
- 2 cups crisp rice puff cereal
- ¾ cup quick oats
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- ½ cup almond flakes
- ½ cup coconut flakes
- 150 g marshmallows
- 60 g butter
- 125 g white choc melts
- ½ cup roughly chopped nuts (peanuts, almonds, pistachios or other nuts of choice)
- ¾ cup dried fruit (sultanas, craisins, blueberries, diced apricot, or other dried fruit of choice)
- ⅛ tsp sea salt flakes
- 2 tbsp dark choc chips
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Line a 20cm x 30cm slice pan with baking paper, making sure to leave an overhang, and set aside.
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Combine rice puff cereal, oats, nuts, coconut and sesame seeds in a pan and toast, stirring over medium heat for a few minutes.
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Combine marshmallows, and butter in a large pan, and melt over low heat (it looks wrong and as if it's split, then it blends together nicely.
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Add the white chocolate melts and continue to stir until the chocolate has melted (the mixture will thicken as the chocolate melts).
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Remove from the marshmallow mix from the heat and stir in the toasted cereal mixture, dried fruit, and salt, and stir well to combine.
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Quickly transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and spread evenly, sprinkle over the dark choc chips and press firmly and evenly with the back of a spoon to level and compact.
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Refrigerate for one hour, or until completely set and firm.
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Cut into rectangle bars.
I like to do a mix of nuts, generally almonds and pistachios.
I also like to do a mix of fruits, favourites are sultanas and dried cranberries.
You could decorate by piping dark or milk chocolate over the top, and sprinkling dried edible flowers add a beautiful splash of colour, while edible gold leaf, adds a little bling!
Gluten Free Option: Use "free from gluten" oats, rice crisps, marshmallows, chocolate, etc - check labels when purchasing the ingredients.
Until next time
Bon appétit!
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With many thanks and kindness,
Julie.
Your desk looks as though it has always been there. A perfect spot, and over the heating duct for those cold days, (not today though). The rose is beautiful. A great spot to work and plan. It looks inviting, a place you’d like to be.