need advice on homemade squares...

"GS" <whoknows@no_spam.com> wrote in message
news:26NOd.43842$gA4.41091@edtnps89...

Quoted message said:

I often make puffed wheat squares for a snack for kids lunches etc.., so
I thought I'd try the same general method and use almonds for a little
healthier and higher protein version. I followed the same general recipe
but subbed almonds for the puff wheat and used about 1/2 as much (3 cups
as opposed to 6)
This is what I did:

on low heat mixed:

1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1 cube semi sweet chocolate
3 scoops chocolate whey protein powder
3 cups whole almonds

Then I spread the whole thing into a glass tray and let sit overnight.

When I do this with puffed wheat it is hard as a rock by morning, but
this time I have "globs" rather than squares. The recipe on the puffed
wheat bag calls for corn syrup, but I have used honey (and added peanut
butter) before and it turned out ok.

How can I get this mixture to stiffen up a bit? I was thinking of
reheating the whole glob, then adding oatmeal and baking perhaps?

suggestions?

I don't think that substituting almonds for the cereal is going to make this
more healthy. The almonds have way more fat and only a little more protein.
Since you are using peanut butter (that is sweetened), semi-sweet chocolate,
and honey, it is obvious that carbohydrates aren't an issues. Furthermore,
since the almonds are far more dense that the puffed wheat, it is likely
that a normal serving will have a lot more calories. I would think about
increasing the cereal and decreasing the chocolate to make it more healthy
and keeping the serving size the same. That would solve your problem and
accomplish your goal.

GS said:

When I do this with puffed wheat it is hard as a rock by morning, but
this time I have "globs" rather than squares. The recipe on the puffed
wheat bag calls for corn syrup, but I have used honey (and added peanut
butter) before and it turned out ok.

I would bet that this time because you used almonds instead of cereal,
the honey didn't have anything to absorb into. So instead of sticky
cereal, you still have honey and almonds.

Dawn

One time on Usenet, "Vox Humana" <[email hidden]> said:

<snip recipe>

Quoted message said:

I don't think that substituting almonds for the cereal is going to make this
more healthy. The almonds have way more fat and only a little more protein.

I disagree. While almonds do have more fat, it's monounsaturated,
which actually lowers LDL ("bad" cholesterol) while raising HDL ("good"
cholesterol). And a 100g serving of almonds has more than twice the
protein of an equal serving of puffed wheat -- 21g vs 9g, according
to the USDA...

--
J.J. in WA ~ mom, vid gamer, novice cook ~
"You still haven't explained why the pool is
filled with elf blood." - Frylock, ATHF

Vox Humana said:

"GS" <whoknows@no_spam.com> wrote in message
news:26NOd.43842$gA4.41091@edtnps89...

Quoted message said:

I often make puffed wheat squares for a snack for kids lunches etc.., so
I thought I'd try the same general method and use almonds for a little
healthier and higher protein version. I followed the same general recipe
but subbed almonds for the puff wheat and used about 1/2 as much (3 cups
as opposed to 6)
This is what I did:

on low heat mixed:

1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1 cube semi sweet chocolate
3 scoops chocolate whey protein powder
3 cups whole almonds

Then I spread the whole thing into a glass tray and let sit overnight.

When I do this with puffed wheat it is hard as a rock by morning, but
this time I have "globs" rather than squares. The recipe on the puffed
wheat bag calls for corn syrup, but I have used honey (and added peanut
butter) before and it turned out ok.

How can I get this mixture to stiffen up a bit? I was thinking of
reheating the whole glob, then adding oatmeal and baking perhaps?

suggestions?

I don't think that substituting almonds for the cereal is going to make this
more healthy. The almonds have way more fat and only a little more protein.
Since you are using peanut butter (that is sweetened), semi-sweet chocolate,
and honey, it is obvious that carbohydrates aren't an issues. Furthermore,
since the almonds are far more dense that the puffed wheat, it is likely
that a normal serving will have a lot more calories. I would think about
increasing the cereal and decreasing the chocolate to make it more healthy
and keeping the serving size the same. That would solve your problem and
accomplish your goal.

Not sure where your info is coming from, but almonds have about 30G of
protein per cup, whereas the puffed wheat cereal I use has about 2G per
cup, and I want some fat in this snack, and the fat from nut's is
generally regarded as "good" fat. Increased calories is what I want as
well, and the peanut butter I use is not sweetened, ingredients are
"peanuts", nothing else. The chocolate I threw in as an afterthought, my
next batch I likely wont use it.

Anyway, I appreciate your response, but I still would like to know if it
is possible to "stiffen" up this recipe so I can take said squares with
me and eat in a shall we say, "neater" way.

On Thu 10 Feb 2005 12:50:28p, GS wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

Vox Humana said:

"GS" <whoknows@no_spam.com> wrote in message
news:26NOd.43842$gA4.41091@edtnps89...

Quoted message said:

I often make puffed wheat squares for a snack for kids lunches etc..,
so I thought I'd try the same general method and use almonds for a
little healthier and higher protein version. I followed the same
general recipe but subbed almonds for the puff wheat and used about 1/2
as much (3 cups as opposed to 6)
This is what I did:

on low heat mixed:

1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1 cube semi sweet chocolate
3 scoops chocolate whey protein powder
3 cups whole almonds

Then I spread the whole thing into a glass tray and let sit overnight.

When I do this with puffed wheat it is hard as a rock by morning, but
this time I have "globs" rather than squares. The recipe on the puffed
wheat bag calls for corn syrup, but I have used honey (and added peanut
butter) before and it turned out ok.

How can I get this mixture to stiffen up a bit? I was thinking of
reheating the whole glob, then adding oatmeal and baking perhaps?

suggestions?

I don't think that substituting almonds for the cereal is going to make
this more healthy. The almonds have way more fat and only a little
more protein. Since you are using peanut butter (that is sweetened),
semi-sweet chocolate, and honey, it is obvious that carbohydrates
aren't an issues. Furthermore, since the almonds are far more dense
that the puffed wheat, it is likely that a normal serving will have a
lot more calories. I would think about increasing the cereal and
decreasing the chocolate to make it more healthy and keeping the
serving size the same. That would solve your problem and accomplish
your goal.

Not sure where your info is coming from, but almonds have about 30G of
protein per cup, whereas the puffed wheat cereal I use has about 2G per
cup, and I want some fat in this snack, and the fat from nut's is
generally regarded as "good" fat. Increased calories is what I want as
well, and the peanut butter I use is not sweetened, ingredients are
"peanuts", nothing else. The chocolate I threw in as an afterthought, my
next batch I likely wont use it.

Anyway, I appreciate your response, but I still would like to know if it
is possible to "stiffen" up this recipe so I can take said squares with
me and eat in a shall we say, "neater" way.

Nutrition aside, honey has more "water" in it than corn syrup.

You might consider adding some non-fat dried milk to the mix to "stiffen"
it a bit more.

Wayne

GS said:

I often make puffed wheat squares for a snack for kids lunches etc.., so
I thought I'd try the same general method and use almonds for a little
healthier and higher protein version. I followed the same general recipe
but subbed almonds for the puff wheat and used about 1/2 as much (3 cups
as opposed to 6)
This is what I did:

on low heat mixed:

1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1 cube semi sweet chocolate
3 scoops chocolate whey protein powder
3 cups whole almonds

Then I spread the whole thing into a glass tray and let sit overnight.

When I do this with puffed wheat it is hard as a rock by morning, but
this time I have "globs" rather than squares. The recipe on the puffed
wheat bag calls for corn syrup, but I have used honey (and added peanut
butter) before and it turned out ok.

How can I get this mixture to stiffen up a bit? I was thinking of
reheating the whole glob, then adding oatmeal and baking perhaps?

suggestions?

TIA

Add some oats to absorb some of the oil from the peanut butter and they
should set up.

I've been making something kind of like this lately. It's still a "work
in progress", so feel free to change the amounts of fruit or add raisins
or leave out the sunflower seeds, or whatever. I don't believe I've
made them the same way twice, but last time was particularly good:

Bob's Granola Bars

1/4 cup margarine (canola or peanut oil might work)
1/2 pound marshmallows (about 30 large)
3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup whole almond kernals
3/4 cup (?) grated coconut [estimated amount]
generous 1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries, a.k.a. "craisins"
generous 1/2 cup diced dried turkish apricots
scant 1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup roasted and salted sunflower kernals
2 cups puffed rice breakfast cereal (like Rice Krispies®)

Toast oats and almonds in a 375 degree oven. It works best if they are
in seperate bakind dishes, otherwise the oats tend to insulate and
protect the almonds from the heat.

Meanwhile, in a huge heatproof bowl, melt margarine and marshmallows in
the microwave. Stir with a big spoon to combine. Stir in the coconut,
dried fruit, sunflower seeds, and wheat germ. Next add the hot oats and
almonds. Lastly, stir in the rice cereal. It will be very sticky and
hard to mix. Spray a 9x13 glass baking pan with your favorite non-stick
spray. Transfer the sticky glop into the pan and press it down as
tightly as you can -- covering it with waxed paper while you press it
helps. Allow to sit for a half hour or so, and cut into squares when
they are no longer sticky.

Best regards,
Bob

zxcvbob said:

GS said:

I often make puffed wheat squares for a snack for kids lunches etc.., so
I thought I'd try the same general method and use almonds for a little
healthier and higher protein version. I followed the same general recipe
but subbed almonds for the puff wheat and used about 1/2 as much (3 cups
as opposed to 6)
This is what I did:

on low heat mixed:

1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1 cube semi sweet chocolate
3 scoops chocolate whey protein powder
3 cups whole almonds

Then I spread the whole thing into a glass tray and let sit overnight.

When I do this with puffed wheat it is hard as a rock by morning, but
this time I have "globs" rather than squares. The recipe on the puffed
wheat bag calls for corn syrup, but I have used honey (and added peanut
butter) before and it turned out ok.

How can I get this mixture to stiffen up a bit? I was thinking of
reheating the whole glob, then adding oatmeal and baking perhaps?

suggestions?

TIA

Add some oats to absorb some of the oil from the peanut butter and they
should set up.

I've been making something kind of like this lately. It's still a "work
in progress", so feel free to change the amounts of fruit or add raisins
or leave out the sunflower seeds, or whatever. I don't believe I've
made them the same way twice, but last time was particularly good:

Bob's Granola Bars

1/4 cup margarine (canola or peanut oil might work)
1/2 pound marshmallows (about 30 large)
3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup whole almond kernals
3/4 cup (?) grated coconut [estimated amount]
generous 1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries, a.k.a. "craisins"
generous 1/2 cup diced dried turkish apricots
scant 1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup roasted and salted sunflower kernals
2 cups puffed rice breakfast cereal (like Rice Krispies®)

Toast oats and almonds in a 375 degree oven. It works best if they are
in seperate bakind dishes, otherwise the oats tend to insulate and
protect the almonds from the heat.

Meanwhile, in a huge heatproof bowl, melt margarine and marshmallows in
the microwave. Stir with a big spoon to combine. Stir in the coconut,
dried fruit, sunflower seeds, and wheat germ. Next add the hot oats and
almonds. Lastly, stir in the rice cereal. It will be very sticky and
hard to mix. Spray a 9x13 glass baking pan with your favorite non-stick
spray. Transfer the sticky glop into the pan and press it down as
tightly as you can -- covering it with waxed paper while you press it
helps. Allow to sit for a half hour or so, and cut into squares when
they are no longer sticky.

Best regards,
Bob

sounds good! I'll give it a whirl & thanks for the advice & recipe!

Wayne Boatwright said:

On Thu 10 Feb 2005 12:50:28p, GS wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

Vox Humana said:

"GS" <whoknows@no_spam.com> wrote in message
news:26NOd.43842$gA4.41091@edtnps89...

>I often make puffed wheat squares for a snack for kids lunches etc..,
>so I thought I'd try the same general method and use almonds for a
>little healthier and higher protein version. I followed the same
>general recipe but subbed almonds for the puff wheat and used about 1/2
>as much (3 cups as opposed to 6)
>This is what I did:
>
>on low heat mixed:
>
>1/2 cup honey
>1/2 cup natural peanut butter
>1 cube semi sweet chocolate
>3 scoops chocolate whey protein powder
>3 cups whole almonds
>
>Then I spread the whole thing into a glass tray and let sit overnight.
>
>When I do this with puffed wheat it is hard as a rock by morning, but
>this time I have "globs" rather than squares. The recipe on the puffed
>wheat bag calls for corn syrup, but I have used honey (and added peanut
>butter) before and it turned out ok.
>
>How can I get this mixture to stiffen up a bit? I was thinking of
>reheating the whole glob, then adding oatmeal and baking perhaps?
>
>suggestions?

I don't think that substituting almonds for the cereal is going to make
this more healthy. The almonds have way more fat and only a little
more protein. Since you are using peanut butter (that is sweetened),
semi-sweet chocolate, and honey, it is obvious that carbohydrates
aren't an issues. Furthermore, since the almonds are far more dense
that the puffed wheat, it is likely that a normal serving will have a
lot more calories. I would think about increasing the cereal and
decreasing the chocolate to make it more healthy and keeping the
serving size the same. That would solve your problem and accomplish
your goal.

Not sure where your info is coming from, but almonds have about 30G of
protein per cup, whereas the puffed wheat cereal I use has about 2G per
cup, and I want some fat in this snack, and the fat from nut's is
generally regarded as "good" fat. Increased calories is what I want as
well, and the peanut butter I use is not sweetened, ingredients are
"peanuts", nothing else. The chocolate I threw in as an afterthought, my
next batch I likely wont use it.

Anyway, I appreciate your response, but I still would like to know if it
is possible to "stiffen" up this recipe so I can take said squares with
me and eat in a shall we say, "neater" way.

Nutrition aside, honey has more "water" in it than corn syrup.

You might consider adding some non-fat dried milk to the mix to "stiffen"
it a bit more.

Wayne

Thanks! I have some powdered dry milk so I'll give that a whirl.

The main reason I used honey is that my wife has UC and corn syrup
upsets her stomach quite bad, and honey does not seem to.

On Thu 10 Feb 2005 03:29:29p, GS wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Nutrition aside, honey has more "water" in it than corn syrup.

You might consider adding some non-fat dried milk to the mix to "stiffen"
it a bit more.

Wayne

Thanks! I have some powdered dry milk so I'll give that a whirl.

The main reason I used honey is that my wife has UC and corn syrup
upsets her stomach quite bad, and honey does not seem to.

No reason not to use the honey. Just need to firm it up more, as you already
know.

Good luck.

Wayne

Vox Humana said:

I don't think that substituting almonds for the cereal is going to

make this

Quoted message said:

more healthy. The almonds have way more fat and only a little more

protein.

Quoted message said:

Since you are using peanut butter (that is sweetened), semi-sweet

chocolate,

Quoted message said:

and honey, it is obvious that carbohydrates aren't an issues.

Furthermore,

Quoted message said:

since the almonds are far more dense that the puffed wheat, it is

likely

Quoted message said:

that a normal serving will have a lot more calories. I would think

about

Quoted message said:

increasing the cereal and decreasing the chocolate to make it more

healthy

Quoted message said:

and keeping the serving size the same. That would solve your problem

and

Quoted message said:

accomplish your goal.

I am sorry bout trying to make this recipe more healthy is like trying
to improve the healing spiritual value of [censored]. It's an obviously
guilty treat - why not enjoy it as such and send the kids to play in
the backyard to burn it off afterwords.

"Fifo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Vox Humana said:

I don't think that substituting almonds for the cereal is going to

make this

Quoted message said:

more healthy. The almonds have way more fat and only a little more

protein.

Quoted message said:

Since you are using peanut butter (that is sweetened), semi-sweet

chocolate,

Quoted message said:

and honey, it is obvious that carbohydrates aren't an issues.

Furthermore,

Quoted message said:

since the almonds are far more dense that the puffed wheat, it is

likely

Quoted message said:

that a normal serving will have a lot more calories. I would think

about

Quoted message said:

increasing the cereal and decreasing the chocolate to make it more

healthy

Quoted message said:

and keeping the serving size the same. That would solve your problem

and

Quoted message said:

accomplish your goal.

I am sorry bout trying to make this recipe more healthy is like trying
to improve the healing spiritual value of [censored]. It's an obviously
guilty treat - why not enjoy it as such and send the kids to play in
the backyard to burn it off afterwords.

I agree. I would rather have the almonds that the cerial, but I wouldn't
let the kids watch [censored] even if they are going to play afterwards!

Vox Humana said:

I agree. I would rather have the almonds that the cerial, but I

wouldn't

Quoted message said:

let the kids watch [censored] even if they are going to play afterwards!

You know, now that I think of it, my (lack of) ability to clearly
express myself can probably explain quite a bit about my life including
that episode where I was trying to explain to this otherwise nice lady
that I don't work there I just pushed the wrong button on the elevator
but she wouldn't let me go until I filled out all the Human Resource
paperwork.

Fifo said:

You know, now that I think of it, my (lack of) ability to clearly
express myself can probably explain quite a bit about my life including
that episode where I was trying to explain to this otherwise nice lady
that I don't work there I just pushed the wrong button on the elevator
but she wouldn't let me go until I filled out all the Human Resource
paperwork.

ROFL! You really, really should take this show on the road. You're
hilarious!

Carol
--
"Years ago my mother used to say to me... She'd say,
'In this world Elwood, you must be oh-so smart or oh-so pleasant.'
Well, for years I was smart.... I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."

*James Stewart* in the 1950 movie, _Harvey_

Fifo said:

Vox Humana said:

I agree. I would rather have the almonds that the cerial, but I

wouldn't

Quoted message said:

let the kids watch [censored] even if they are going to play afterwards!

You know, now that I think of it, my (lack of) ability to clearly
express myself can probably explain quite a bit about my life including
that episode where I was trying to explain to this otherwise nice lady
that I don't work there I just pushed the wrong button on the elevator
but she wouldn't let me go until I filled out all the Human Resource
paperwork.

She probably wanted you to work there (she was hitting on
you, but you didn't notice).

😉

sf

sf said:

She probably wanted you to work there

I still have the job, you know. I figured since I spent so much time on
the paperwork I might as well.

Incidentally, about 15 years ago I was working in a recruiting\temp
agency that specialized in restaurant staff, mostly waiting staff. The
town was a major sea resort so demand during the season was quite high.
Next door and in the same building was this matchmaking\relationship
counseling office. So this guy turns up one morning and after some
greetings I sit him down and start asking him the usual questions. You
know, things like:
- How much experience do you need this person to have?
- What skills are important to you?
- Do you need to do a background check on the person?
- When do you need them to start?
So at one point he says something like "OK, these are all fine
questions but all I want is for her to be single, good looking and open
minded" At that point I had to say "Wow, buddy that's not legal not to
mention the ethical issues" So he goes "What do you mean?" and starts
insisting that he has the right to choose and have his criteria for the
choice. So I explain to him that that's true but that at the very least
the government requires that he does not discriminate based on
protected classes. He was quite amazed that the government got involved
in this and started flat out cursing the government for sticking their
noses into everything. So finally he says "You know this dating service
just sucks - I am better off jsut being single"

Fifo said:

sf said:

She probably wanted you to work there

I still have the job, you know. I figured since I spent so much time on
the paperwork I might as well.

ROTFLMAO! Your story is too good to snip!

Quoted message said:

Incidentally, about 15 years ago I was working in a recruiting\temp
agency that specialized in restaurant staff, mostly waiting staff. The
town was a major sea resort so demand during the season was quite high.
Next door and in the same building was this matchmaking\relationship
counseling office. So this guy turns up one morning and after some
greetings I sit him down and start asking him the usual questions. You
know, things like:
- How much experience do you need this person to have?
- What skills are important to you?
- Do you need to do a background check on the person?
- When do you need them to start?
So at one point he says something like "OK, these are all fine
questions but all I want is for her to be single, good looking and open
minded" At that point I had to say "Wow, buddy that's not legal not to
mention the ethical issues" So he goes "What do you mean?" and starts
insisting that he has the right to choose and have his criteria for the
choice. So I explain to him that that's true but that at the very least
the government requires that he does not discriminate based on
protected classes. He was quite amazed that the government got involved
in this and started flat out cursing the government for sticking their
noses into everything. So finally he says "You know this dating service
just sucks - I am better off jsut being single"

sf

<GROAN>

Read this if you missed it earlier. <G>

Carol

Fifo' said:

Incidentally, about 15 years ago I was working in a recruiting\temp
agency that specialized in restaurant staff, mostly waiting staff. The
town was a major sea resort so demand during the season was quite high.
Next door and in the same building was this matchmaking\relationship
counseling office. So this guy turns up one morning and after some
greetings I sit him down and start asking him the usual questions. You
know, things like:
- How much experience do you need this person to have?
- What skills are important to you?
- Do you need to do a background check on the person?
- When do you need them to start?
So at one point he says something like "OK, these are all fine
questions but all I want is for her to be single, good looking and open
minded" At that point I had to say "Wow, buddy that's not legal not to
mention the ethical issues" So he goes "What do you mean?" and starts
insisting that he has the right to choose and have his criteria for the
choice. So I explain to him that that's true but that at the very least
the government requires that he does not discriminate based on
protected classes. He was quite amazed that the government got involved
in this and started flat out cursing the government for sticking their
noses into everything. So finally he says "You know this dating service
just sucks - I am better off jsut being single"

Carol forwarded something I'd missed earlier:

Quoted message said:

Fifo' said:

Incidentally, about 15 years ago I was working in a recruiting\temp
agency that specialized in restaurant staff, mostly waiting staff. The
town was a major sea resort so demand during the season was quite high.
Next door and in the same building was this matchmaking\relationship
counseling office. So this guy turns up one morning and after some
greetings I sit him down and start asking him the usual questions. You
know, things like:
- How much experience do you need this person to have?
- What skills are important to you?
- Do you need to do a background check on the person?
- When do you need them to start?
So at one point he says something like "OK, these are all fine
questions but all I want is for her to be single, good looking and open
minded" At that point I had to say "Wow, buddy that's not legal not to
mention the ethical issues" So he goes "What do you mean?" and starts
insisting that he has the right to choose and have his criteria for the
choice. So I explain to him that that's true but that at the very least
the government requires that he does not discriminate based on
protected classes. He was quite amazed that the government got involved
in this and started flat out cursing the government for sticking their
noses into everything. So finally he says "You know this dating service
just sucks - I am better off jsut being single"

If it had been me, about the time I got asked, "When do you want them to
start?" I'd have replied, "As long as she can last all night long, she can
start anytime between 6 and 9 PM."

Just out of curiosity, what skills did he say WERE important to him?
Tantric Massage? Sword swallowing? ;-)

Bob