Originally inspired by smittenkitchen in the summer of 2010, these are perhaps the ultimate flexible recipe.  Not only does it use up the little ends of things you’ve been stashing around your cupboards to use up God-knows-when, but it also produces the perfect we’ve-packed-EVERYTHING-and-have-nothing-to-eat food!  

3 1/2 cups oats

2/3 cup flour (oat flour, all-purpose, whole-wheat, almond…  you could even use ground flax)

4-6 cups of filling (dried fruit, chocolate chips, nuts, seeds, coconut, etc)

1 teaspoon of salt

1/2-1 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 cup oil or butter or smart balance (whatever’s lying around) – melted if in a solid state

2/3 cup peanutbutter (or not!  this time, i used a few tablespoons of nutella, for fun)

3/4 cup liquid sweetener (agave, honey, corn syrup–or a combination of these, can also substitute some–but not all! (you need the liquid)–for granulated sugar)

I usually combine the dry ingredients, and then pour the wet ingredients over the top and combine.  Spread the mixture in a well-greased (and preferably, parchment-lined) 9×13″ pan.  Wet your hands, and then press the mixture so that it’s very compacted–it will bake together better this way.  Bake at 350 degrees (F) for about 40 minutes (till a bit brown around the edges).  Let cool before lifting out of the pan and cutting.

These recipes have been somewhat a departure for the blog–what do you think?  Is there room on the internet for more recipes?