Man Bars

Time flies!  It seems like just yesterday I was posting my Roasted Cabbage Wedge Salad for our Spring Edition of #FreakyFriday.  And here we are, summer already.  I'm sure we'll be getting ready for the Fall Edition before we know it.  If you aren't familiar with #FreakyFriday, each person in the group is assigned a blog to make a recipe from.  Only everything is a big secret.  And today is the day we reveal our recipes, not only with all of you but with each other.  It's always a lot of fun to see who had what blog and what recipe they chose to make.  Bonus for all of you, because you get to meet some new bloggers and see some great new recipes.  So, without further adieu....

This time around I was assigned the Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies blog, which is so fun because during the Spring Edition of #FreakyFriday, Kris was assigned my blog and she made my Creamy Corn Dip and her post was so flattering and wonderful.  I looked at all of the fabulous recipes on her blog and I was really torn between doing a dessert (since I love to bake I'm always looking for dessert recipes) and her Green Taco Roll Ups.  Because they use green chiles and you know how much I love green chiles!  Kris is from Wisconsin and I considered making Cheese Curd Stuffed Beef 'n Brat Burger, since that is truly a recipe from her part of the country.  We love bratwurst, and this burger just sounds amazing.  Cheese curds aren't too easy to find in Oklahoma though, so I settled on Man Bars.  The name totally intrigued me, and since Father's Day is in June I decided Man Bars were totally appropriate!

When I read Kris' post, she had made these bars for a Fill the Cookie Jar challenge that happened to be in June.  She also chose this recipe with Father's Day in mind.  That's how I knew I had selected the perfect recipe.  Great baking minds think alike!  Now I've told you before that my hubby likes sweets but he doesn't like anything super rich like fudge or flour-less chocolate cake.  When I looked at the ingredients, I was worried the bars might be too sweet since they call for a whole can of condensed milk, but I was wrong.  They have the perfect amount of sweetness.  They are chocolate-y, complimented with the crunch of graham cracker crumbs.  We all know how well chocolate and graham crackers pair together!  I actually might add some mini marshmallows next time.  Since we're already 2/3 of the way to a s'more.

The only change I made in the recipe is with the walnuts.  Kris' version called for 1/2 cup of finely chopped walnuts, but picky 'ol Mr. Devilish Dish does not like nuts so I left them out.  I definitely think they would be delicious edition though.  Or chopped pecans like we eat in everything down here in Oklahoma. 

As I mentioned earlier, the bars aren't terribly sweet.  Rolling them in powdered sugar not only makes an attractive treat, but it truly gives them the perfect level of sweetness.  Not too rich, but a totally satisfying dessert or snack.  You might want to cut them kind of small though.  I cut them fairly big so they would make a pretty picture.

I even added a hammer and tape measure to the photo shoot so my bars would be "extra manly."  Not only are these bars the ideal treat for Dad on Father's Day, they are a great treat any time of year.  Simple to make with only a handful of ingredients.  And they look pretty on a platter too.  Even though they are "manly."  Thank you to Kris at Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies for the terrific inspiration!

Man Bars

by: Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 cup miniature chocolate chips
1/2 cup walnuts, finely chopped
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-2 cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.  In a large bowl combine graham cracker crumbs, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, walnuts, condensed milk, and vanilla.  Press into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes.  Let cool.  Remove bars from pan and cut into small squares.  Place powdered sugar in a small bowl.  Roll bars in sugar before serving.

#FreakyFriday Participating Bloggers:

 An Affair from the Heart
A Dish of Daily Life
Aunt Bee's Recipes
LeMoine Family Kitchen
Cooking On A Budget
Take Two Tapas
Who Needs A Cape?
A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
Lisa's Dinnertime Dish
Tampa Cake Girl
Full Belly Sisters
Pic-Nic
Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies
The Devilish Dish
Platter Talk. A Culinary Blog. Food, Wine, Friends



I hope you'll give these fabulous bars a try.  Be sure to visit all of the blogs for some delicious new inspirations.  Hop on over and see Kris at Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies.  I know she would love to hear from you!






 

An InLinkz Link-up

Chili Cheese Dogs

Summer is in full swing.  We just celebrated the 4th of July and you know what that means:  Cook-Outs, Barbecues and Picnics.  Potato Salad, Popsicles and of course: Chili Cheese Dogs.  Hot Dogs are the quintessential backyard food of summer, and there's nothing better than one topped with tasty chili.  It's also time for our Summer Edition of Freaky Friday.  That's where us food bloggers get together and re-create each other's recipes.  It's a secret for everyone, including you!  The most fun is seeing who was assigned your blog and what they chose to make.  It's also a great way for you, the reader to meet some new bloggers and find lots of great new recipe ideas.  This time I was assigned the LeMoine Family Kitchen blog.  Angela is a busy mom of two boys and Jersey girl at heart, with a true passion for cooking!  I love following Angela on social media and I often comment I wish I had half her energy!  With Italian roots, you'll find many traditional Italian recipes on Angela's blog, like Classic Spaghetti & Meatballs or Tortellini Pomodoro.  You'll also find a variety of other cuisines, some healthy choices (which I love!) and some clever twists on old favorites.  I couldn't decide on a recipe because everything, and I mean everything on Angela's blog looks amazing.  We tried and loved the BLT Chicken Salad Stuffed Avocados and the Sheet Pan Kielbasa and Potatoes (sheet pan dinners = easy clean up!) I was really torn about which recipe to blog today, but ultimately I went with Chili Cheese Dogs because they seemed so fun and appropriate for our July theme!

Don't these look wonderful?
The perfect summer meal!

Grilled hot dogs, topped
with a seasoned simmered chili
and shredded Cheddar cheese.
Yum!

Ideal for your next potluck, picnic,
cook out or tailgate...

Thank you Angela from
LeMoine Family Kitchen
for the great recipe!

Make your next hot dog a
CHILI CHEESE DOG
with a big pot of LeMoine Family Kitchen Chili.

CHILI CHEESE DOGS
from: LeMoine Family Kitchen

1.5 pounds lean ground beef
3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2-3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh jalapeno
3 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons oregano
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoon salt
1.5 cups canned crushed tomatoes
1.5 cups water
3 tablespoons olive oil
hot dogs
buns
shredded cheddar cheese

In a medium saucepan over medium low heat, add the olive oil, onion and jalapeno.  Once the onion and jalapeno are softened, go ahead and add the chili powder, cayenne, garlic powder, oregano, cumin and salt.  Cook for one minute.  Add in the canned crushed tomatoes, water and ground beef.  Using a potato masher OR this really cool tool (the handiest little gadget EVER) break up the meat until a fine texture is reached.  Simmer on low 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Season with salt and pepper to taste if needed.  Grill up your hot dogs, place in the buns, top with some chili and shredded cheddar.

Prep Time:  Approximately 10 minutes     Cook Time:  Approximately 30 minutes

If you enjoyed this recipe, try some of my previous
FREAKY FRIDAY FINDS:

Chocolate Covered Snickers Strawberries

Southwestern Coleslaw