You would think crafts and recipes aren’t exactly something to ‘research’ right? But when you’re a writer, everything can be seen as research when it applies to your story. Without giving away too much about upcoming projects, I’ve been putting some extra time into researching fun crafts for a variety of age groups, as well as recipes for a number of different foods.
Not only does it fulfill research I may use in the future, but it’s given me some ideas to use in my own kitchen! I’m using both new recipes I’ve found as well as recipes I have already made part of my regular cooking or baking habits.
Over the years, I’ve expanded my palate (and my family’s) and added new and interesting dishes to what used to be a bland menu of ‘basic’ American fare. My family’s three favorite meats are chicken, beef, and pork, and those are the base of so many delicious recipes!
I enjoy plenty of baking, too. Cookies, cake, and other sweet treats come warm from the oven and are nearly immediately devoured. One of my newest food prep obsessions has been homemade chocolate. I started with recipes for milk chocolate and dark chocolate. I’ve also found a recipe for sugar-free milk chocolate that my husband has requested from now on.
What’s your favorite food – to eat or to make? Let’s try one together:
Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Ingredients
1 cup smooth peanut butter
¾ stick margarine or butter; softened
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup flour
¼ tsp salt
1 12 oz package or larger semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 F.
While the oven heats, mix together peanut butter and sugar until smooth.
Stir in flour, salt, and 1 cup chocolate chips (or more!)
Spread mixture in ungreased 13”x9” baking pan.
Bake 25-30 minutes, until edges are lightly browned.
Remove from oven and immediately cover with chocolate chips.
Cover and let stand for 5 minutes or until chocolate chips are soft and shiny.
Use a rubber spatula to spread melted chocolate chips like frosting.
Cool completely before serving.
Share your comments, thoughts, and pictures of your finished bars on Facebook!