MANGO BARS

I found this recipe in the Taste of Home COOKIES magazine that came out for the month of April.
I never make treats like this so I didn't think I was going to try it. Then mangos were on sale at SPROUTS! I had to get them... So, with a few tweaks of my own I baked a tray of these this afternoon, and they are so YUM!
*My fiance is not a coconut fan so I eliminated it entirely, as well as the nuts. (we are a nut free family!)
I will include them in the recipe as a side note in case you want to add them. Regardless, these were still moist, fruity and just the right amount of sweet for a relaxing Saturday ^^

HERE'S WHAT YOU DO:
YIELD = 2 dozen 2in bars


*1/2C Macadamia Nuts*
2-1/4C All purpose flour (divided)
1/2C Confectioner's sugar
1/2Tsp Salt
1C Cold butter, cubed
1 Medium mango, peeled and chopped
1/2C Orange Marmalade
1/2C Baker's Sugar
4 Eggs
1 Tsp Grated lemon peel
*1C Flaked Coconut*

This recipe called for everything to be chopped and combined using a food processor. However, I prefer to chop and mix everything by hand. I feel more involved with what I am making that way! It is definitely easier
to use the processor though, so by all means do so! Also, I tend to always use baker's sugar(casting sugar) because I buy it in bulk and it dissolves more thoroughly due to its ultra fine grain. This is not necessary for most recipes and regular granulated sugar will be fine!

Crust:
1. Finely chop nuts (if you are using them). Combine with 2C flour, confectioner's sugar and salt. Mix well.
2. Add the cubed butter and cut it into the mixture. The mixture should be decently crumbly.
3. Press into an ungreased 13x9 baking pan. (I always use glass) Bake at 350 for 15-20 mins. It should be lightly browned.

Filling:
1.Finely chop mango and combine with the marmalade. Add the sugar and remaining flour mix well.
2. Add eggs and lemon peel until just combined.
3. Pour over crust. If you are using coconut, sprinkle it over the top.
4. Bake for 23 minutes or until edges are golden. Cool on wire rack. Cut into bars. ENJOY!

Talisman of El by Alecia Stone

WHAT IF YOUR WHOLE LIFE WAS A LIE?

One Planet.

Two Worlds.

Population: Human ... 7 billion.
Others ... unknown.

When 14-year-old Char­lie Blake wakes up sweat­ing and gasp­ing for air in the mid­dle of the night, he knows it is hap­pen­ing again. This time he wit­nesses a bru­tal mur­der. He's afraid to tell any­one. No one would believe him ... because it was a dream. Just like the one he had four years ago - the day before his dad died.

Char­lie doesn't know why this is hap­pen­ing. He would give any­thing to have an ordi­nary life. The prob­lem: he doesn't belong in the world he knows as home.

He belongs with the others...



Thank you Alecia for writing a superb fantasy adventure and allowing me to read and review an early copy!
This book is aimed at young adults but could be enjoyed by just about any age. It is a fantastic read full of action, fantasy, mythology and even a little romance.

You follow Charlie, a fourteen year old boy who has suffered the devastating loss of his father. He is adopted by a man who turns out to be horrible and tries to force Charlie down a path he does not want. Despite all this, our admirable main character continues to search for who he is supposed to be. He meets new friends along the way that will stick by him through all that is to come.

These characters were wonderfully relatable. I felt connected to them from the beginning and was delighted to follow them on their journey.

Soon Charlie is confronted by an intense revelation about his identity and the turn his life is about to take. He enters a beautifully constructed world, Arcadia.
The author uses a unique writing style with a wonderful twist on popular mythology.
Her imagery is detailed and builds a spectacular world full of angels, demons and other mythological beasts.

This book kept me reading. I couldn't put it down! I stayed up until 3AM to finish it. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep without finding out what happened to Charlie and his friends.
I look forward to reading the next installment in this exciting trilogy!
What a great first book for Alecia Stone!




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White Chocolate Crackles

Not quite your average cookie! White Chocolate Crackles are light and fluffy with a sweet flavor and crispy sugar top. Your tummy is going to want more ^^ These are a new found favorite of both me and my fiance. I baked three dozen tonight and there is only six left!

Here's What You Do:

1/2C Butter

1/2C Shortening (I like the one that comes in baking sticks)

1/2C Sugar

1/2C Packed Brown Sugar

1 Egg

1 Tsp Vanilla

2C All Purpose Flour

1Tsp Baking Soda

1Tsp Cream of Tartar

1/2Tsp salt

6oz White Baking Chocolate (I always use the Ghirardelli baking bars)

Additional Sugar 

• In a large bowl cream together both sugars, butter and shortening. When it is light and fluffy, beat in the egg and vanilla.
• Combine flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt in a medium bowl. Gradually add this to the creamed mixture and mix well.
• Take the white chocolate and chop into small chunks. Stir into the dough. 
• Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until the dough is easy to handle. 
• Roll dough into 1in. balls.  Dip each ball halfway in water and then in sugar. 
• Place sugar side up about 2in. apart on ungreased baking sheet.
• Bake at 400 for about 8 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Yield = 3-4 dozen

Cinnamon French Toast

French toast is one of our favorite breakfasts! But, for the longest time I was terrible at making it! This recipe is simple and produces delicious French Toast every time ^^

Here's what you do:

4 Eggs 

1C Milk

1Tsp Sugar

Dash of Salt

6 Pieces Texas Toast

Powdered Sugar to garnish

Butter (for pan)

• In a pie plate or other flat dish, break open eggs and beat lightly. Whisk together with milk, sugar and salt. 
• Warm skillet coated with butter on medium heat. 
• Place pieces of bread in pie plate one at a time, letting each side soak up egg mixture for a couple of seconds. Only soak as many as you will be able to cook in your skillet. 
• Sprinkle both sides of the bread with cinnamon after it soaks. 
• Cook in skillet for about 1-2 mins. for each side. The bread should be slightly crisp and a nice golden brown.
• Garnish with powdered sugar and ENJOY! 

I sometimes like to make a fruit compote to go on top of the French Toast. Usually I eat it with just syrup and butter. YUM!