Homemade Granola Bars

Ever since I received this amazing cookbook for our wedding [and then actually unpacked it and started using it], I wanted to make these granola bars.  I also heard from a friend that she'd made them and they were terrific!

As I almost always do, when I use a recipe for the first time, I try not to alter it at all - then I find out what I want to change for the next time.  [As perfectly exemplified in my very-cashewy Spicy Stir-Fried Cashew Chicken I made tonight, about which I may or may not blog - it was cashew-iculous!]  These granola bars were a bit sticky.  Okay, a LOT sticky.

I'll definitely make them again (because they were seriously so good), but I'll certainly need to change some quantities.  And when I DO and find some better solutions, I will blog about it.  In the meantime, please let me know if you have any ideas, as well!  This time I tried almond pieces, coconut and sunflower seeds.  Next time, I might try peanuts and raisins or something else!  There are truly endless possibilities.

Print the recipe here.

Or here.  :)

Spinach Pear Salad

I was attending a social gathering of some sort a few years ago when I ate this salad.  I immediately had to ask my friend the ingredients and promptly wrote them down.  Many many moons later I remembered I liked my friend Patrick's spinach salad but I couldn't remember what was in it exactly...so I messaged his wife and she wrote me back the ingredients.  Have you figured it out yet?  Many MORE moons later, after I had moved again (good time to lose things), I remembered I really liked Patrick's salad but couldn't quite remember all the ingredients.  I emailed his wife one more time and vowed to store it in a million different places so I'd never lose it again. : )

What better place than the internet?

The funniest part is the simplicity of the actual ingredient list that I am so good at forgetting:
          Fresh spinach
          Fresh pears, chopped
          Candied almonds
          Poppyseed dressing

I swear that list was longer 3 years ago...now I just feel silly.