PEANUT BUTTER IS HIGH IN PROTEIN AND ALSO PROVIDES POTASSIUM, FOLATE, VITAMIN
E, THIAMIN AND MAGNESIUM.
Peanut butter and peanuts are protein powerhouses: 2 tablespoons of peanut
butter provide 8 grams of protein and one ounce of peanuts offers 7.3
grams of protein. In addition to protein, peanuts are packed with important
vitamins and minerals, including resveratrol found in the skins. Try this
breakfast bar recipe instead of cereal or a muffin tomorrow morning:
FRUIT AND OATMEAL BREAKFAST BARS
Serves: Makes 20 bars
Cooking Time: 25 min.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
- 1/2 cup quick cooking rolled oats
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine at room temperature
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 finely grated peel of 1 orange
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups mixed dried fruit, such as raisins, dried cranberries, chopped
dried apricots or chopped dried apples
- 1/2 cup unsalted peanuts, coarsely chopped
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Spray a 13”x 9” baking
pan with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, mix flours with oats, baking
soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
Using an electric mixer, in a large bowl, beat peanut butter with butter
and orange peel until well blended. Beat in brown sugar. Then beat in
eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in buttermilk and
vanilla, scraping down sides as necessary, until well combined. Stir in
flour mixture. Stir in dried fruit.
Turn batter into prepared pan, smoothing the top. Sprinkle evenly with
peanuts. Bake until lightly browned and edges just start to pull away
from sides of pan, about 22 to 25 minutes. Cool completely in pan before
cutting into bars.