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Tropical Pineapple Date Bars

August 6, 2026 by Karen Breyer Leave a Comment

These Tropical Pineapple Date Bars are naturally sweetened with dates, banana, pineapple, and orange juice. Made with oats, coconut, and walnuts, they feature a chewy oat crust topped with a delicious tropical fruit filling. Enjoy them for breakfast, as a snack, or for dessert whenever you’re craving a wholesome homemade treat.

Yield: 12 Bars

Tropical Pineapple Date Bars

Tropical Pineapple Date Bars
No Ratings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup oat flour (blended oats)
  • 3 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup mashed banana
  • 1 cup orange juice (more if needed)
  • 1 (20-ounce) can unsweetened crushed pineapple
  • 2 cups chopped dates

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a blender or food processor, blend enough oats to make 1 cup oat flour.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the oat flour, oats, coconut, walnuts, and salt.
4. In another bowl, mix together the banana and orange juice.
5. Combine the juice mixture with the dry ingredients. If needed, add more orange juice to make the oat mixture hold together.
6. Press half of the oat mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 12-inch baking pan. Set aside.
7. Add the pineapple and dates to a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer while stirring frequently. Cook and stir until the mixture is thickened.
8. Spread the thickened fruit mixture over the oat mixture.
9. Top with the remaining oat mixture.
10. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the fruit bars begin to brown.

Notes

You can use other nuts in place of the walnuts.
To make the oat flour, blend enough old-fashioned oats to make 1 cup.
If the dates are dry, soak them in warm water. Drain before adding.

© Karen Breyer

Strawberry Sauce

May 6, 2026 by Karen Breyer Leave a Comment

This easy strawberry sauce is naturally sweet with no sugar added and comes together quickly with simple ingredients. It’s perfect for everyday meals and works well on pancakes, waffles, French toast, or peanut butter toast.

Yield: 6 servings

Strawberry Sauce

Strawberry Sauce
No Ratings

Ingredients

  • 5-6 cups strawberries, sliced, halved, or whole (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 (12-ounce) can apple juice concentrate
  • 1½ cups water, divided
  • ⅓ cup cornstarch

Instructions

    1. In a large saucepan, combine the strawberries, apple juice concentrate, and 1 cup of the water. Stir to mix.
    2. Place the pan over high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
    3. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    4. While the mixture is simmering, mix the cornstarch with the remaining ½ cup of water in a small bowl or cup until dissolved.
    5. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
    6. Stir the cornstarch mixture again to make sure it is smooth, then slowly pour it into the strawberry mixture, stirring constantly.
    7. Return the pan to the heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
    8. Reduce the heat and continue stirring for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
    9. Serve the strawberry sauce warm or chilled.

Notes

  • For a smoother sauce, mash some of the strawberries or blend part of the mixture using an immersion blender.
  • Try this Strawberry Sauce over toast with peanut butter for a quick and easy breakfast, lunch, or snack.
  • It’s also great on pancakes, French toast, waffles, and more.
  • Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

© Karen Breyer

Rice Cooker Breakfast Quinoa

September 5, 2024 by Karen Breyer Leave a Comment

Yield: 4 servings

Rice Cooker Breakfast Quinoa

Rice Cooker Breakfast Quinoa
No Ratings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa, uncooked
  • 14-ounce can coconut milk (full-fat or lite)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1/2 - 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt (or to taste)

Instructions

    1: Stir all the ingredients together in a rice cooker.
    2: Set the rice cooker on the white rice setting. Cook.
    3: Serve. Top with fruit, nuts, or milk (any type) if desired.

Notes

Adjust the water to your desired thickness.
You can double or triple the recipe if your rice cooker is large enough.

© Karen Breyer

Start your morning with this easy, healthy Rice Cooker Breakfast Quinoa recipe! In this cooking video, Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make Rice Cooker Breakfast Quinoa. It’s quick to prepare – simply add the ingredients, stir, and turn on your rice cooker. You’ll have a delicious and nutritious breakfast ready to go in less than an hour. You can even do something else while it cooks!

Once it’s done, stir and serve. You can customize your quinoa with your favorite toppings, such as fresh fruit, nuts, or milk.

By the way, it’s filling and will keep you energized all morning! Perfect for those looking for a healthy, easy-to-make breakfast. Watch this cooking video and make this delicious Rice Cooker Breakfast Quinoa today!

Blueberry Chia Jam

July 23, 2024 by Karen Breyer Leave a Comment

Blueberry Chia Jam

Blueberry Chia Jam
No Ratings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
  • 1 - 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds

Instructions

    1: Add the blueberries and honey to a saucepan over medium heat.
    2: Cook, stirring occasionally, until the blueberries start to break down and release their juices (about 5 - 10 minutes).
    3: Mash the blueberries with a fork or potato masher to your desired consistency.
    4: Stir in the chia seeds. Reduce the heat to low and cook another 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens.
    5: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the jam cool for a few minutes.
    6: Taste the jam and add more honey if desired.
    7: Transfer the jam to a clean glass jar or container and let it cool completely. Once cooled, cover the jar and refrigerate for 1 - 2 hours to allow the chia seeds to absorb the mixture and fully thicken the jam.

Notes

Use the Blueberry Chia Jam as a spread for toast, bread, pancakes, yogurt, oatmeal, peanut butter sandwiches, or desserts.
Make 2 - 2 1/2 cups of jam.

Make a delicious, healthy Blueberry Chia Jam recipe with three simple ingredients! In this cooking video, Karen Breyer will show you how to make Blueberry Chia Jam with blueberries, honey, and chia seeds. This easy recipe is perfect for spreading on toast or bread, adding to peanut butter sandwiches, mixing into yogurt, or adding a sweet touch to your favorite snacks. Not only is this jam quick to prepare, but it’s also free from preservatives and refined sugars, making it a wholesome addition to your diet. Watch this cooking video and learn how to create this tasty, nutritious Blueberry Chia Jam at home in no time!

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