Baked

Happy Friday! Did you have a good week?

I'm just back from my annual family camping trip, and have these "camp bars" on my mind. Wish I had one, as I'm currently on a BC ferry heading back to Vancouver, from a shoot, and all I can smell is hotdogs, or something like that (not what the doctor ordered). These are so simple to make and are easy to pack for a little camping get-away.

Camp Bars - makes about 12 bars in an 8x12 pan

5 cups puffed cereal (rice, millet, kamut, or wheat. I used millet)
1 cup brown rice flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
pinch of salt
1 cup finely chopped dried fruit (I used apples, peaches, and apricot)
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup almond chocolate spread (or peanut butter or almond butter)
1 cup unsweetened apple sauce
chocolate chips to sprinkle on top (optional, but you should do it:) )

Preheat oven to 350f/180c. Lightly spray an 8x12 pan with oil and line with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together the fruit, flour, millet, cinnamon, walnuts and salt. Add the honey, almond chocolate spread and applesauce. Stir to combine. The mixture should be sticky and clump together nicely. If it's too crumbly, add a bit more applesauce. Spread out the mixture, evenly, in the pan, then sprinkle with chocolate chips (if using). Bake for about 20-25 or until they just come away from sides of pan. Watch that they don't burn. While warm, cut into bars and leave in pan to cool. That's it!

Have a good weekend!
janis

Baked

It's hump day! How's your week going so far? I got a bit snowed in today (anyone who has experienced real snow would laugh at us here in Vancouver), which worked out well as it was a huge post production kind of day for me.

Here's a treat that's not too hideous for you, and it's perfect for a day like today. Oatmeal, Chocolate, Cherry bars can be made with regular flour or they can be gluten free, which is the way I went. Pretty tasty.

Oatmeal, Chocolate, Cherry Bars - makes one 8"x12" pan

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup gluten free all purpose flour (I used Bob's Red Mill)*
1/2 cup almond meal
1/4 teaspoon guar gum
1 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 cups whole oats (not quick oats)
1 cup dried sour cherries, chopped
8 oz dark chocolate, chopped
* you can use 1 1/2 cups regular all purpose flour then omit the almond meal and guar gum

Preheat oven to 350f/180c. Lightly spray an 8"x12" pan with oil and line bottom with parchment paper. Beat in eggs, one at a time, blending well. Beat in vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, almond meal, baking soda, cinnamon, salt.

Gradually add dry mix to butter mixture and stir in until just combined. Fold in oats, chocolate and cherries. Place dough in prepared pan, and press down. Bake for about 25 minutes until a light golden brown. Enjoy!

By the way, I'm off to Palm Springs tomorrow for a shoot, and I'd love to get a list of shops and restaurants to check out. If any of you have some helpful hints, please pass it on. Thanks!

Back soon!
Janis

Tiki

I popped by the Waldorf Hotel here in Vancouver, to get a few shots for something else, but thought I'd share some with you. Let's just say, I now feel like a Mai Tai. Right now.

This hotel has been restored to it's original Tiki goodness. When you step into the Tiki Bar, you feel as though you've just stepped into a time tunnel straight back to the 50's. It's pretty much unchanged since then. Very "Blue Hawaii". I know it's kitsch, but it works and I'm glad it's still around.

I posted an iPhone pic of these chairs a couple of weeks ago. Here are some more images of Nuba. It's a great restaurant, located in the Waldorf as well. There are a number of elements I could see adding to our home. Love the chairs, the green chalkboard (I prefer green over black), the wood partitions, and cabinets.

These images are of the Leeteg room. It's named after Edgar Leeteg, the man that brought us modern velvet paintings. Velvet paintings make me smile. You can read more about him here. Again, everything is pretty much original, they've just added new chair cushions.

What do you think of the Waldorf Hotel? Can you embrace Tiki, or does it remind you of rumpus rooms of the past? I can say, it's a fun place to visit, good drinks and great food too. Check it out if you can.

Back soon!

Latitude

I just learned that some images I took, of Latitude restaurant, will be featured in an international book of best bars.  Pretty exciting!  I've included a couple of samples. More details to come soon.

Latitude is a new restaurant, owned and operated by my brother Larry Nicolay and his partner Lisa Henderson.  It's received rave reviews for the incredible menu as well as the decor, designed by Evoke International Design.