It has been a ridiculously long time since I have sat down to write a blog post. It’s sad, I know. Between work and kids and visits here and there across the U.S. to see family, I just haven’t made the time. Until now.
A few weeks ago, I was approached by Angela Liddon of OhSheGlows.com to participate in her new Oh She Glows Every Day cookbook tour. I was thrilled to oblige, as I have been a fan of Angela’s for several years now. I’ve always loved seeing (and making) her simple, whole-food, plant-based recipes. The recipes in this book are no exception–absolutely top-notch.
The first recipe that I made from Angela’s new cookbook (Strawberry Oat Crumble Bars) was a huge hit with my family–especially my husband. I made these delicious breakfast bars twice, and both times, they were quickly devoured by my husband (oh, and me too ;) as a quick, easy, nutritionally-dense breakfast on the go. He grabbed a few Strawberry Oat Crumble Bars from the fridge before heading off to work, and wasn’t hungry until 1 pm. People, this is a huge accomplishment, because, as someone working in health care, he is never guaranteed a full 30 minute lunch at a predictable time every day. So, topping off his tank every morning is super important.
The recipe gives you the option of making Angela’s Strawberry-Vanilla Chia Seed Jam (located on page 44 of her cookbook) or using store-bought jam. I made Angela’s version, and it was delicious. She also posts a similar recipe using blueberries on her blog that I think would work great with this recipe as well.
Of course, Angela’s simple step-by-step recipe instructions are easy to follow and serve as a great guide if you happen to be working with new and unfamiliar ingredients.
As a thank you for sharing this recipe and her new book with you, Angela Liddon and her publishers are offering a free cookbook to one of my readers. YES! That could mean you! If you’d like to enter the new Oh She Glows Every Day Cookbook giveaway drawing, just leave a comment below sharing what you love about Angela’s Oh She Glows blog or why you’d like this cookbook.
I’ll be closing the giveaway at midnight on October 25th (2016), so hurry and leave a comment so I can add your name to the hat. Xoxo.
Strawberry Oat Crumble Bars and the new Oh She Glows Every Day Cookbook
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup Strawberry-Vanilla Chia Seed Jam (see page 44) or store-bought jam 300 mL
- 1 cup hulled sunflower seeds 250 mL
- 3 cups gluten-free rolled oats 750 mL
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt plus 1/8 teaspoon
- 1/2 cup virgin coconut oil 125 mL
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup 60 mL
- 3 tablespoons brown rice syrup 45 mL
- 1 tablespoon Homemade Sunflower Seed Butter (page 79), or store bought. 15 mL
Instructions
- If desired, roast the sunflower seeds. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C). Spread the seeds over a large rimmed baking sheet in an even layer. Roast for 9-12 minutes, until lightly golden in some spots. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Increase the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Line a 9-inch (2.5 L) square pan (or an 8-inch/2 L pan for a slightly thicker bar) with parchment paper, leaving some overhang, which will make it easy to lift out the bars later.
- In a food processor, combine the sunflower seeds, oats, and salt and process until you have a course flour.
- In a small pot, melt the oil over low heat. Remove from the heat and whisk in the maple syrup, brown rice syrup, and sunflower seed utter until combined. Pour the wet mixture on top of the oat mixture in the food processor and process until the mixture comes together, 10 to 15 seconds. The dough should feel quite heavy and oily, and there shouldn't be any dry patches. If there are, process for 5 seconds more. If for some reason it's still too dry, try adding water, a teaspoon (5 mL) at a time, and processing until it comes together.
- Set aside 1 1/4 cups (300 mL) of the oat mixture for the topping. Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the base of the prepared pan in an even layer. Starting at the center, push down with your fingers (you can lightly wet them if they stick) to spread out and pack down the crust. Press the dough down tightly. Even out the edges with your fingertips. Prick the crust with the tines of the fork about 9 times to allow steam to escape.
- Parbake the crust for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. (If the crust puffed up while baking, gently press dwn on it to release the air.) Spread the jam in an even layer over the crust. Crumble the reserved 1 1/4 cups (300 mL) oat mixture evenly over the jam.
- Bake, uncovered, for 14 to 18 minutes more, until the topping is llightly firm to the touch. The topping will not turn golden in color; it will remain the same shade as it was before baking. Let cool in the pan on a cooling rack for 45 to 60 minutes, then transfer the pan to the freezer for 30 minutes until completely cool. Lift out the slab and slice it into squares or bars. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for several days, or wrapped up and stored in the freezer for 4-5 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
I would love this cookbook because I do a monthly vegan dinner in Memphis TN. I recently bought myself an Oh She Glows Cookbook (The First One). For my class, I could make the strawberry oat crumble bars and then show them this new book. This group does buy vegan cookbooks that I suggest.
I would like to win the cookbook because there have been days our family has gotten home late in the evening and hungry, and it was Oh She Glows to the rescue for a scrumptious dinner. Perhaps an every day book could rescue us for other meals of the day when we most need something satisfying! Thank you.
I love Oh She Glows because she makes cooking healthy beautiful and fun!
I would love to win this cookbook because I still feel like a beginner at vegan cooking and am always looking for new recipes, specially ones that are quick and easy to follow! And this would be a great one to have as I love the Oh She Glows blog.
I would like the cook book because I am transitioning from being vegetarian to vegan and this books will make the transition fun and easy! Besides, it will bring in the variety I like in everyday food.
I would love to win this cookbook because I have a passion for sharing amazingly delicious vegan food in order to counteract the perception that vegan food cannot be tasty! My favorite recipe right now is “Festive Kale Salad” from the original OH SHE GLOWS cookbook.
I would absolutely LOVE to have this cookbook – I’m a health educator with a passion to help people transition to a plant-based food lifestyle. I have always loved Angela’s blog and found lots of ideas for inspiring, tasty healthy dishes.
I would love to win this cookbook for two reasons: 1. Because I often get stuck in a rut of making the same things, and I would love to try out some new, healthy, and delicious recipes. And, 2. Because my husband and I sincerely LOVE food. Almost indiscriminately.
I would love to try the new recipes in this cookbook! I am always eager to try vegan recipes and find ways for my non-veggie lover, vegetarian husband to enjoy it as well.
I really like the recipes on her blog which is why I want to win the book!
I’d love to win the book because I have her first book and I really like the recipes. =)
I would love to win the book for more great ideas for Taspen’s Cosmic Kitchen, an expansion of our business we are about to open and offer amazing organic, healthy and delicious food to our community in CO!
I would love to win this cookbook because my husband is a new Vegan and this will give me so many great recipes to keep him on the plant based cruelty free path. I love that all the Oh She Glows recipes are Vegan, good for us, the animals and the planet. Everything we’ve tried from the blog has been simply delicious. Can’t wait for this book!!
I would love this cookbook! Oh She Glows has a recipe option for anyone and everything. As a nurse, sometimes its challenging to have healthy meals prepared while working shifts. Angela’s quick and easy recipe book sounds great.
I would like to win this book to add new recipes to my vegan family.
I love her first book, I would love to win her 2nd book so I can add more awesome favorite vegan recipes for our family.
I love her beautiful photos! They inspire me to cook. Thanks for the chance to win!
I’m transitioning to a vegan diet and this cookbook looks amazing! Thanks for the giveaway!
Love that she has some vegan + gluten free recipes. When you have multiple foods you need to avoid, it is so difficult to find trustworthy, successful recipes. Love Angela’s recipes.
I would love to win this cookbook because I am always on the lookout for healthy, vegan recipes that are quick and delicious. I’ve heard such great things about Oh She Glows and would love to have her recipes in book format!
Thank you all SO much for your sweet comments!! I have taken the number of comments here to Random.org to have a random number generated between 1 and 21, and number 16 was selected. I have counted from the first comment posted to the 16th comment posted, and the winner is Stephanie! Congrats, Stephanie! I’ll be in touch with you via e-mail to get your mailing address. Thanks all of you for your participation!
Congrats to Stephanie! I hope she will enjoy the new cookbook and post to let us know how good it is!
I know the giveaway is over. A year ago! But I just had to comment about my favorite recipe of Oh She Glows blog. And that is the Caesar salad with roasted chickpeas! It’s absolutely the best!