Simple Lemon Bars

It's spring, and with spring comes green grass, blue skies, beautiful flowers, and the promise of sunny days. It also brings along my craving for all things lemon. Not just mine, but my families too!! Each year around this time and all through the summer I make Lemon Bars. They are a sweet treat that everyone in my family loves. They still have a certain tartness that mixes with the sweet to make a perfect, refreshing dessert that's great to serve at cookouts, picnics, church dinners, anytime!! Here's how to make these lovely little goodies.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 9x13 pan with parchment paper leaving some hang over each edge. That makes it so much easier to get the bars out of the baking dish.

Crust: In a large bowl, blend butter, confectioners sugar and salt until well combined and smooth. Stir in flour until blended. Scrape into the prepared baking pan and press evenly into the bottom. 

Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Remove from oven and set aside. 

Filling: In a large bowl, beat granulated sugar, flour, eggs and lemon juice until completely smooth. Pour over crust. 

Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes or until no imprint remains in the filling when lightly touched in the center. Remove from oven to a wire rack and cool completely. After cool remove bars from baking dish and place on a flat surface. Dust lightly with confectioners sugar. Cut into 24 bars and serve. 


That's it!! Simple and delicious. The crust is like a short bread and the filling is a lot like lemon meringue pie. If you would like to watch my video demonstration, I'll have it posted below!!

God Bless,
Emily-TheCountryCook

Chicken, Asparagus, and Bacon Skillet.

Very yummy recipe. Perfect for asparagus season!!

Chicken, Asparagus, and Bacon Skillet

Ingredients 

1 pound asparagus spears

4 slices bacon, coarsely chopped

4 bonless, skinless chicken breast halves or about 12 chicken breast tenders

Salt

Ground black pepper

2 medium summer squash cut in half length wise and sliced.

1 14.5 ounce can chicken broth

2 Tbsp all purpose flour

1 tsp Lemon Juice 

1 Tbsp Lemon Pepper Seasoning

1 Tbsp Dehydrated Onion Flakes (or to taste)

Directions

In a large saucepan cook asparagus in boiling water until preferred doneness. ( I like mine cooked until it falls apart!!) Drain and set aside. ( I added a bit of butter for extra yummyness!!)

In a large skillet cook bacon on medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and drain on a paper towel lined plate. Add chicken to skillet, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook until no longer pink inside. 

Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. Add squash and cook on medium heat until done. In a small bowl whisk together chicken broth, flour, lemon juice, lemon pepper seasoning, and onion flakes. Pour over cooked squash and simmer on medium heat until thick.

Add chicken, asparagus, and bacon to the skillet and cook until warmed through. About 6 minutes.

Serve with your favorite rice.

Peanut Butter, Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip Cookies

Hello Everyone,

  I've been really into cookies lately. Not really sure why, but I feel like I can't get enough!! The other night I had a bit of a sweet tooth. I knew I had oatmeal and chocolate chips and I thought about making good old oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. But, I kinda wanted to twist it up a bit. I came across a recipe for Peanut Butter, Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip Cookies. I grabbed my camera and got to baking!! I hope you all enjoy the recipe. If you try it please let me know what you think!! Recipe below video!!

xxoo,
Emily

Recipe

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 Cup All Purpose Flour
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/2 Cup Butter, softened
1/2 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter
1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
1/3 Cup Light Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract 
1 Egg
1/2 Cup Rolled Oats
1 Cup Chocolate Chips

In a small bowl whisk together the Flour, Baking Soda, and Salt. Set aside. In a mixing bowl cream together Butter, Peanut Butter, Sugar, Brown Sugar, and Vanilla. Beat in Egg. Gradually add Flour mixture until completely mixed in. Fold in Oats and Chocolate Chips. Scoop dough onto parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Note: If you like a more flat, round cookie you may need to press the dough down with your fingers. My first batch did not spread out like typical cookies do.