Welcome to the second annual brunch week hosted by Terri of Love and Confections and Susan of The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen! Join us May 5th through 11th while we celebrate the deliciousness of brunch and to prepare for Mother’s Day and summer brunching season. We have 32 bloggers bringing you their best brunch game, from cocktails to eggs benedict to donuts, there is something for everything this week. Our amazing sponsors have donated some great prizes for a gigantic giveaway, please visit them all for more information.
A while back a reader e-mailed me and asked for a good fig bar recipe. Well I came up with one that uses dried figs. Unfortunately when I decided to make the recipe figs were no longer in season and I had to use the dried ones instead. I love Fig Newtons and thought these would be the perfect thing for breakfast.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dried figs cut into quarters
- 1/2 cup seedless raisins
- 1/2 cup dried currants
- 1 orange juiced and zested
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 2/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 8 tablespoons cold butter
- 1/4 cup almonds (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a 8 inch baking dish with oil and set aside
- Combine the figs, raisins, currants, orange juice, zest and water in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and then reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 5 minutes. Allow to cool until just warm.
- Put the oats, flour, salt and nutmeg and maple syrup in a food processor. Pulse 5-6 times to blend ingredients. Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse sand. Do not over mix
- Transfer half of the oat mixture to the prepared pan and press down firmly to coat the bottom. Transfer the other half to a bowl and set aside.
- Put the fig mixture and the almonds (if using) into the food processor and process until you get a jam like consistency.
- Spread the fruit mixture evenly over the crust in the pan. Sprinkle the remaing oat mixture over the top pressing it down firmly.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 15-20 minutes. Wait 5 minutes before cutting into squares.
Here are all the fabulous brunch dishes shared by my friends today.
Brunch Beverages:
Raspberry-Mango Batido from Foxes Love Lemons
Blackberry Mimosas from Quarter Life (Crisis) Cuisine
Brunch Egg Dishes:
Spinach Bell Pepper Frittata from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Corn Souffle from Hungry Couple
Croque Madame Muffins from Cooking in Stilettos
Fajita Vegetable Quesadillas with Eggs and Avocado Hollandaise from Sarcastic Cooking
Bacon, Cheddar, Zucchini Quiche from The Kitchen Prep
Brunch Breads and Grains:
Blueberry Cornmeal Waffles from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Busy Bee’s Granola from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Chocolate Dipped Banana Hazelnut Pancake Kebabs from Food Faith Fitness
Springtime Sweet Rolls from Eat Your Heart Out
10 Minute English Muffin Cream Cheese Danish from Neighborfood
Lemon Poppyseed Scones from Real Housemoms
Apple Croissants from Hip Foodie Mom
Vanilla Chai Quick Bread from Savvy Eats
Fig and Oatmeal Breakfast Bar from My Catholic Kitchen
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins from Jen’s Favorite Cookies
Brunch Fruits, Vegetables, Sides:
Roasted Beet Salad with Pistachios and Blue Cheese from Healthy. Delicious.
Caramelized Onion, Apple and Gruyere Bites from Take a Bite out of Boca
Savory Truffles from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Brunch Desserts:
Orange Marmalade Pound Cake from Love and Confections
Hazelnut-Blackberry Cottage Pudding from The Vintage Cook
Orange Surprise Inside Pound Cake from Chelsea’s Messy Apron
Strawberry Hazelnut Crumble with Coconut Whipped Cream from The Little Ferraro Kitchen
Corn Fritter Shortcakes with Maple Whipped Cream from The Spiffy Cookie
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Bob’s Red Mill is giving one lucky winner a variety of flours, baking mixes, grains, a cookbook, Bob’s Red Mill tote bag, whisk, spatula, scale and Bob’s Red Mill gift card.
About Bob’s Red Mill: Trust, honesty and integrity. The three principles their business is built on. Their packaging is a great example of this commitment: clear bags that let you see the high quality of every one of their products. By producing the very best in whole grain foods, they are able to fulfill their commitment to help look after more and more people through better nutrition.
Prize #2:
OXO is giving one lucky winner a prize pack containing the following OXO tools to host a successful brunch, Egg Beater, Flip & Fold Omelet Turner, 3-in-1 Egg Separator, Batter Dispenser, Mini Silicone Flexible Pancake Turner, Batter Bowl, Medium Silicone Spatula, 4 piece Mini Measuring Beaker Set, Muddler, Angled Measuring Jigger.
About OXO: OXO’s mission is dedicated to providing innovative consumer products that make everyday living easier.
Prize #3:
California Walnuts is giving one lucky winner a 14 cup Cuisinart Food Processor.
About California Walnuts: The California Walnut Board was established in 1948 to represent the walnut growers and handlers of California. The board is funded by mandatory assessment of the handers and the California Walnut Commission, established in 1987 is funded by mandatory assessments of the growers.
Prize#4: Grimmway Farms is giving one lucky winner a 5-speed, 5 attachment Kitchenaid Immersion Blender. Perfect to chop and shred fresh carrots, whip up a smoothie or blend a carrot soup. Some fresh carrots will be included to practice with.
About Grimmway Farms: The story of Grimmway began in 1968, when brothers Rod and Bob Grimm set up a roadside produce stand and planted that would blossom into today’s Grimmway Farms. Grimmway has become one of the largest growers, producers and shippers of fresh and processed carrots in the world. They are the leading supplier of organic produce with 75+ organic product offerings.
Prize #5:
Baloian Farms is giving one lucky winner a Calphalon Unison Sear Nonstick 13” Wok, plus some fresh veggies to practice with.
About Baloian Farms: Since, 1917, Baloian Farms, a family operated business which includes 4 generations of Baloian leadership, has been growing premium fresh fruit and vegetables. Today, Baloian Farms has become one of the largest growers, producers and shippers of fresh bell peppers on the West coast.
Prize #6:
Woot Froot is giving one lucky winner a Nostalgia Electrics Margarita Maker. Perfect for brunch drinks or slushies during the summer. They will also be sending some freshly sliced, peaches and nectarines to practice with.
About Woot Froot: The story of Woot Froot begins 25 years ago, when owner Kim & Eric Gaarde began their careers in the peach and nectarine business working for farmers. They learned the business and were content, but one day a simple question changed it all. “Why isn’t anybody doing fresh-cut peaches and nectarines?” People told Kim it was impossible and she didn’t accept the answer, so she left her job and started her own R&D company to find out. After many years of research and, trial and error Woot Froot freshly cut peaches and nectarines were created!
Prize #7:
Dixie Crystals | Pure Cane Sugar is giving one lucky winner an assortment of sugar and a branded apron to wear while cooking their brunch week recipes.
About Dixie Crystals: Since 1917, Dixie Crystals® has been the South’s choice for high-quality sugar and sweeteners. Our pure cane sugar products are all natural, non-GMO and provide consistently delicious results.
Prize #8:
Whole Foods Orlando is giving two lucky winners gifts baskets. The first Morning Mimosa Basket contains: Authentic French Brioche, 365 Everyday Value™ Maple Syrup, 365 Everyday Value™ Organic Cinnamon, a Whisk. Allegro® Breakfast Blend Coffee, a bottle of Prosecco, 365 Everyday Value™ Orange Mango Juice. Whole Foods Market Champagne flutes (2). Micro Plane and a Medium Mixing Bowl. The second Breakfast-in-Bed Basket contains: 365 Everyday Value™ Whole Wheat Pastry Flour, 365 Everyday Value™ Pancake Mix, 365 Everyday Value™ Organic Fruit & Nut Granola, a French Press, Allegro® Breakfast Blend Coffee, Friordifrutta™ Wild Lingonberry & Rose Hip Fruit Spread, Allegro® Organic Breakfast Blend Tea, Allegro® Organic Northwest Minty Green Tea, Allegro® Coffee Cup, a Mixing Bowl and a Whisk.
Bonne Maman is giving five lucky winners a jams and jellies prize pack.
About Bonne Maman: Bonne Maman Preserves and Jellies, produced in France, are all-natural, with no artificial coloring, no high fructose corn syrup or no preservatives added. Everything in Bonne Maman Preserves and Jellies could easily be found in your Grandmother’s kitchen cabinet.
Wait! There is still more to giveaway! Join us Thursday, May 8th from 7pm to 8pm EST for our twitter chat where you will have a chance to win 3 additional jam and jelly packs from Bonne Maman, 1 pack of premium Washington apples from Stemilt Growers and this gorgeous mandolin from Vidalia Onions.
Peace be with you,
Veronica
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