THE COOKIE RECIPES OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY 2014 ---VEGAN APPLE-MISO BAR COOKIES; & HEALTHY TOASTED COCONUT-SHORTBREAD

I first posted this on my website which has since changed layout so here it is again, and over next few weeks will be up loading some of the popular recipes, on this blog.

These are totally American Classic recipes from a more artisinal viewpoint and so very yummy

they are egg free, sugar free and dairy free!!

2 x 9 x13 inch pan or ovenproof dish, lightly oiled


1/2 cup raisins
2/3 cup apple juice
1 cup water

simmer all above for 30 mins..liquid will evaporate. Set aside to cool

Preheat oven 350F

1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
Mix the flour and walnuts, then place on a cookie sheet and roast for 30 mins at 350f.This will lightly brown and smell nutty.
Remove from oven and add to a bowl.
Turn oven down to 325F

Add  1 cup chopped ( cored but not peeled) apples
mix well with the walnut-flour mix
set aside


in a small bowl mix 3 tbsp miso with 3 tbsp lemon juice to a smooth paste.
The add
1/6 cup vegetable oil
1/4 tbsp grated lemon zest
1/4tbsp vanilla extract
Mix well and add to the raisins.

The fold the wet mix into the dry and mix well together.
The mix will be thick
.
Press it well into the oil dish and bake  for 45 mins..watch them after 30 mins.
They will look too moist but dry out as they cool.
cool in dish on a wire rack and cut into bars when cool enough to handle.

TOASTED COCONUT SHORTBREAD

makes 2 doz   2 1/2 inch squares

PREHEAT OVEN 350F  middle shelf

8 1/2 x 24 inch pan or 2 smaller ones

1 pound margarine, at room temp
1 1/2 cups  honey at room temp (Vegans may subs. 1 cup agave syrup)

1tsp almond extract OR Coconut extract
1tsp vanilla extract

4 cups whole wheat  pastry flour
4 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
4 cups old fashioned oats


place the oatmeal & coconut on a cookie sheet and bake in oven for 20- 30 mins until they smell nutty and are light brown, remove from oven and Set aside and  allow to cool.

Cream the margarine and honey until light and smooth and beat in the extracts.
Add the flour, oats and coconut  and mix in with hands.
Press evenly into lightly oiled pans.
Poke holes with tines of fork every 2 inches.
Bake 350F for 30-35 mins.
Cool in tins on wire rack, cut into bars when cool enough to handle.

Malibu Colony, Malibu California...movie star homes..cloudy overcast day yesterday