Cranberry Bars And Other Good Things In Life

Cranberry bars taste good and are very easy to make. The only problem is that you actually need cranberries to make them which are only sold over here before Christmas, but last year I managed not to forget to buy two packages of them as cranberries can be kept in the freezer for quite some time. The recipe comes from an American cooking magazine which someone sent me years ago. I had to adjust it because it calls for walnuts which I didn't have at the moment and anyway, I don't care for them, either.

You first make the filling, for which you need 3/4c sugar,1/2c water, 2c cranberries (fresh or frozen), 1/4c orange juice, 1tbsp butter or margarine, 1/2tsp cinnamon and 1/4 tsp salt (you can also add 1 tbsp of grated orange peel for better taste). First you bring sugar and water to a boil, then you add cranberries and cook them till they pop, which will take about 5 min. At this moment, you add orange juice, butter, cinnamon and salt and cook everything 5 min longer, so that the mixture thickens. (When it's ready, you can stir in 1c of chopped walnuts if you choose to). Set aside to cool and make the crust.

For the crust, you combine 2c flour and 1/4tsp salt, then cut in butter or margarine, or a mixture of both, 1 1/4c in total. Add to this 1c sugar and 3c quick-cooking oats, mix everything well and spoon half of it into an ungreased 13in.x9in.x2in. pan, patting firmly. Spread the filling over it, then top with remaining crust mixture. Bake at 400*F for 30-35 min. Here is the end result:

Encouraged by my culinary successes of late, I decided today to make noodles, which were a great hit. Why is it that homemade food always tastes better?

They are quick and easy to make, and cost less than the supermarket equivalent Here is how you make them:

You will need 1 beaten egg, 2-4tbsp milk, 1/2tsp salt +1c flour to make the dough. Roll it out very thin and let stand for 20 min. Roll it up loosely and cut into 1/4in. wide slices, unroll the noodles, spread them and let dry for about 2 hours. Drop into boiling water and cook uncovered for 10 minutes. Makes 2 portions. Bon appetite!