Homemade "Clif Bars" or "Lara Bars"

The first time I tried a Clif Bar I was addicted.  They provide such a boost of energy and they taste really good.  The only problem is they are rather pricey.  So I started making my own, and I have to say they are just as good!  The best part is you can come up with all sorts of flavor combinations.  So here's the super easy recipe:

Homemade Clif/Lara Bars:
1 cup nuts (almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pecans, whatever you like)
1 cup pitted dates
1/2 - 1 cup flavor ingredients:
     coconut
     dried fruit
     chocolate chips
     orange zest
     peanut butter
     cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. of flavoring such as coconut extract, optional  

Add nuts to a blender and process until finely chopped, then add remaining ingredients and process until it forms a sticky, grainy texture.  If you squeeze some in your hand it should hold its shape, if it doesn't add more dates.  Now press this mixture into a loaf pan lined with foil or parchment paper.  Press it really hard with a flat object (I use a smaller loaf pan).  Cover and chill in refrigerator for about 30 minutes or until set.  Slice it into bars and store in an airtight container.

You can also add extra nutritional stuff like chia seeds, but start out with small amounts until you see how it will affect the texture.  You can play around with it and be creative. So far my favorites are coconut /chocolate chip and orange/cranberry (pictured below).

The best dill pickles ever!

I love dill pickles, but only really good ones.  I detest those limp, soggy dills that are a funky shade of greenish-yellow.  A friend of mine gave me his recipe for refrigerator dills and I thought I'd give it a try.  

Well, my first thought was:  these are gonna be "meh" because they were way too easy to make.  Second thought was: six weeks?!!  I have to wait SIX WEEKS to try them??!!

So I made about 8 quarts and waited six long weeks.  When I finally was able to open a jar and try these babies it was like a party in my mouth!  They were so crisp, so crunchy, so filled with flavor!  I knew I would be making these pickles for the rest of my life! I can seriously set down and eat an entire jar all by myself!

So here's the recipe for my beloved blog-followers.  Perhaps it should come with a disclaimer:  you'll never enjoy a store-bought pickle again.

1 qt (1.5 pounds) pickling cucumbers

1 clove garlic

1 red hot pepper, dried

2 Tbsp white vinegar

1 Tbsp pickling salt

2 (or more) fresh dill heads

Boiling water

Wash cucumbers and pack into hot, sterilized jars.  (I do some whole and slice the rest about 1/4 inch thick).  Add garlic, pepper, vinegar, salt, and dill.  Cover w/ boiling water.  Seal.  Store in refrigerator.  Ready to eat in six weeks.  I have no idea how long they might keep as we eat ours pretty quick, but perhaps they would last a few months.