Well my friends, are we ready for Monday and all of Le Merde that it might throw our way? I am so ready to kick some weekday butt, and I'd be lying if I said these Strawberry Oat Bars didn't put a big smile on my face. Take that Monday!
It was a busy weekend for me. I was in Portland, Oregon attending Indulge Conference.
The name couldn't be more appropriate because well, I ate some ridiculously good food with great friends, listened to life stories from others.
Oh and there was wine and the best donuts in the donut-sphere! Portland, I can't wait to see you again.
If you know me by now, you'll know that I love all baked goods and that my ideal way to relax through the day is with coffee and a pastry. The two are made for each other and in my mind, go hand in hand.
Not everyone follows my theory though. I was in a coffee shop recently, and the man in front of me paid for his drink and an oat bar.
While we both waited for the barista to do his thing, this guy inhaled his oat bar even before he had his drink in hand. I was shocked, these two things needed to be in the mouth at the same time It's like cheese and wine, Oreo's and ice cold milk or Steak and fries.
You just don't eat them separately. Am I sounding a little crazy right now? Should I have tapped that man on the shoulder and shook my finger at him grandma style?
So I made my own oat bars. Inspiration comes at me from the weirdest places, plus the oat bar that my ravenous coffee-line friend had didn't look very appealing. I knew I could do better. I think I did, and they're so very simple.
Buttery oats are combined with delicious thyme and cardamom and smashed into a baking pan. That's right, fresh thyme. Herbs are magical in desserts too, I plead with you to try it sometime.
I could have left the recipe like that and have been happy but when you find a bar of chocolate in the cupboard, you know it needs to be chopped and sprinkled on top. No chocolate chips, you could use them but I love the irregularity in the sizes of shards and chunks of dark chocolate.
Almonds for crunch and throw it in the oven. Your work is done here, make some fresh coffee and don't be like coffee-line guy.
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