Happy New Year

I can't believe 2010 has already come and gone! Here at The Red Barn we have many new and exciting products and events planned for our customers. We thank you all for your business. May you have a safe and happy new year!

As a reminder, we will be closed January 1st, 2011 to celebrate! We will reopen January 2, 2011 with our new winter hours, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Closed Sundays.

Tasty Tuesday: Cherry Granola Bars

For today's recipe tip, I wanted to suggest trying cherries or cranberries in your favorite raisin recipes. Cherries are high in antioxidants and add a powerful flavor punch to jazz up any old recipe you have on hand! Red Barn dried cherries are also great in oatmeal, cookies, and home made granola recipes.

Homemade Granola Bars

1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup
2/3 cup honey
1/4 cup butter
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup peanut butter
3 tsp vanilla

3 cups krispie rice cereal
3 cups other cereals {I used 1.5 cups of two different kinds}
3 cups quick cooking oats
4 TBSP flax
1 1/2 Red Barn cherries (or other dried fruit)
3/4 cup chocolate chips {optional}

In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients, leaving out the chocolate chips. Line a large jelly roll pan with foil and spray the foil lightly with non-stick spray.

Combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, honey and salt in a saucepan. Heat until just boiling. Remove from heat and add in vanilla and peanut butter. Mix until smooth.

Pour over the cereal/ oat mixture and stir until combined. If you're adding chocolate chips, I suggest waiting about 5 minutes, until it's cooled slightly, then add them in. {I was in a time crunch here, so I just added them. They melted slightly, but it worked out just fine!}

Once mixed well, transfer to the foil-lined pan. Spread mixture evenly, pressing firmly with the back end of a spoon or your hand. I just take one of those little sandwich baggies and put it on my hand, then spray the bag with cooking spray and use my hand to press the mixture in. It's very effective and no clean up as you just discard the bag!

Cool completely before cutting. I stick the whole tray in the freezer for an hour or two. Once cut, you can individually bag them and store them in the freezer.

Enjoy!

These also make great neighborhood gifts, as well as snacks for the kids while they are home form school. Recipe provided by Jessica Williams.

Tasty Tuesday: New Arrivals

Instead of a recipe today, I wanted to share with you some information about some of our new tasty arrivals! We are now selling decadent hand dipped chocolates, sure to please crowds of all ages. Along with those, we have a new line of chocolate covered fruits. As far as our produce goes, we now have citrus fruit available. I love the freshness of the citrus fruit at The Red Barn! Apples and oranges make great stocking stuffers, and our holiday packed apples make perfect gifts for neighbors and co-workers. If you would like a customized fruit basket, we are more than willing to help you with those as well! Though not edible, we also have a new line of nativity sets and Christmas ornaments to complete your holiday decorating. We are still open 9 am to 9 pm, Monday through Saturday, so come on it and check us out!

Tasty Tuesday: Pie

Though I can't tell you Grandma's secret recipe for pie, I can tell you a little secret! Our pies are so fresh and full of fruit, no one will no that you didn't slave over it yourself! We are now taking reservations for holiday pies, so make sure you order yours in time! Our wonderful made from scratch pies include the following flavors:

Cherry
Apple
Pumpkin
Blueberry
Boysenberry

Pair any pie with our farm fresh ice cream and you've got a dessert that is sure to please!

Tasty Tuesday: Don't Toss That Pumpkin!

Jessica, over at Utah Deal Diva, experimented with using Jack-o-lantern pumpkins vs. pie pumpkins for her holiday baking. Her conclusion was that the pie pumpkin was sweeter, and less watery, but after straining, the difference wasn't significant enough to justify the extra cost of the pie pumpkin, especially if you picked up your pumpkins for FREE last week at The Red Barn!

To make pumpkin puree which is the base to several holiday recipes, simply cut the pumpkin to fit in a baking dish, add an inch of water, cover with foil, and bake for 1.5 hours at 350 degrees. Then mash, or puree, and it's ready to use or freeze for later.

Also, pumpkin seeds are an easy and healthy snack. Simply rinse the seeds, add 2 tbs butter and some salt, and bake in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Want a new recipe for your pumpkin puree? Try Jessica's Pumpkin Apple Muffins

• 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup diced apples, softened in microwave {2 minutes worked for me}

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray muffin tin with oil. Mix ingredients and spoon into muffin cups, filling them about 3/4 full. I like to make mini muffins because they bake in less time and they're fun for my kids to eat. Mini muffins take about 13 minutes to cook. Regular sized muffins take about 18-20 minutes to cook.
Cool and enjoy!

Tasty Tuesday: Pumpkins

We will be giving away pumpkins for free during this Friday and Saturday hayride hours! Hayrides will still be $3 per person, but you can take as many pumpkins as you can carry for free! Friday pumpkin patch hours are 3:30-8pm, and Saturday the hours are 10:30am - 5pm.

Pumpkins are great for eating! Scoop out those seeds and bake them in your oven with your favorite spice until crispy! Happy Halloween!

Tasty Tuesday: Wacky Apples

In honor of Halloween I wanted to share this idea to inspire a little creativity at your own home this holiday! Stop by The Red Barn and pick up a handful of apples and candy supplies to create your own wacky apple designs! This would be a perfect activity at a kid's Halloween party!