My go-to topic of of conversation for awkward co-worker/job interview/elevator situations is the weather. I have about 3984692 different ways to comment on it or complaint about it, and it saves me everytime. I love it. I can also branch off into fashion/accessory topics and anecdotes (rainboots, forgetting an umbrella, losing mittens or sunglasses) and health/lifestyle issues (humidity headaches, complaining about people coughing on public transit) if need be.
But my tangents about weather as it relates to food are the ones I save for you to read here. After being spoiled with a beautiful, sunny week in March (my neighbour actually had to turn on her air conditioning), it’s been freezing around here lately. Delicious summer fruit just seems sooooo far away right now! I truly have an obsession that starts with strawberries in June, progresses into raspberries and blueberries in July and comes to a glorious finale in August with peaches and cherries. Ontario fruit is just amazing in the summer.
And so while we wait for the weather to turn, here’s a quick, one-bowl treat you can make with stuff that’s already in your kitchen, but will still remind you of delicious summer fruit. It took me under 10 minutes to pull these together, and I used some homemade strawberry jam I had in the fridge. Megan noted in the recipe that these are delicious warm. I thought I better eat 1/4 of the pan to confirm this for you. Indeed they are 🙂
Strawberry Jam Oatmeal Squares
Source: Take a Megabite
Ingredients
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour
1 cup rolled oats
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
3/4 cup strawberry jam
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375, and spray an 8×8 glass baking dish with non-stick spray.
- Mix everything together in a big bowl (except the jam) using an electric mixer.
- Press two cups of the mixture in the bottom of the dish, and spread the jam overtop. Crumble the rest of the oat mixture overtop and press down lightly.
- Bake for 20 minutes, and allow to cool for 20 minutes before slicing.
Tatiana
April 28, 2012 11:27 pmSo I made these this morning and my people here really liked it, but it turned out more like a crumble than any kind of square cut-ready product; I scooped it with a spoon. It’s probably to do with mixing?.. We dont have an electric one, so I just mixed by hand.
One day, when I have a huge Martha-green-with-envy kitchen, I shall have room for all kinds of appliances! (which reminds me, still no post about your kitchen / appliances / tools organization)
cheers!
frugalfeeding
April 27, 2012 10:05 amThose look like really wonderful snacks! Very nice recipe. Weather is the best awkward conversation topics – we Brits are renowned for it! haha.