- RasPberry Squares

Dear Fans of Hounds Who Cook,

Well, our person, Me, returned to us at last. She embroiled herself again in paperwork, so we were not inclined to cook, but then we went to the Elders' house where we run like real dogs, sniffing in the woods, tracking scents. We become real beasts there. Me spent her time with the elder man amid the rasPberries. And now that most of the garden is gone, they even let us in too, I, Elias, spent a good amount of time sniffing in the garden itself. Gute was down at the creek. He has a very focused interest in scents due to his greatness as a hunter. I, Eli, would just as soon stay near the People where food is always at the ready. Though I also enjoy a good tracking session from time to time.

So, they picked the last of the rasPberries and my brother Gutie-fied another old favorite for everyone's good pleasure. We were Very pleased with the outcome. We find if we take out just a smidge of the fat or sugar and add a little fiber and wholesome goodness, then we are a little bit ahead of where would have been had we not done it. You see, there are some who say they have ruined their diet if they slip up. We say any act of goodness is still good and still an accomplishment, not to be disregarded. Try on this act of goodness for yourself:

Raspberry Squares
1-1/2 cups flour (part whole wheat)
1-1/4 cups rolled oats (we use old-fashioned for the greatest texture)
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup almond flour or finely ground almonds
1/2 cup butter
2 tablespoons apple sauce
2 pints raspberries
1 cup-equivalent of stevia*
2 teaspoons arrowroot

(*see the Cooking with Stevia entry to figure out the elusive measuring paradigm)

Preheat oven to 350F. Butter an 8-inch square pan.

Meanwhile, simmer raspberries with the stevia equivalent to 1 cup of sugar and 2 teaspoons arrowroot until sauce begins to thicken. Set aside.

Mix flour, oats, sugars, soda, salt, almond flour together. Cut in 1/2 cup butter and 2 tablespoons apple sauce til fine. Press two-thirds of the mixture into the bottom of the pan. Bake about 20 minutes.

Spread while warm with the raspberry sauce. Sprinkle remaining flour mixture over the sauce. Bake until top is golden - about 30 minutes. Turn pan midway through cooking.

Tips from Guthrie: We use part whole wheat because we find it to be a handy place to hide the fiber. One recipient of bars noticed and thought it too crusty without enough filling. The other recipients raved about their goodness. Be sure to cool the pan on a baking rack so the crust keeps its texture and doesn't soften. Fruit bars are all about the crisp factor.

Tips from Elias: As a dog, I find rasPberries quite refreshing. I don't recommend eating them right off the plant as they are prickly, but have someone with fingers pick them for me. That's what I do.