Middle Eastern Spiced Oatmeal Squares Recipe

Hola Amigos! What a beautiful weekend we had! Sunny, bright, a bit crisp, but that's O.K...just a little preview of what's ahead for us this coming Spring. I took advantage of the weather and went exploring around the city in search of exotic spices to create new dishes or give a new twist to good old favorites.
My exploring took me to a little Middle Eastern Market in the heart of the city...I almost past it because I had already spent more that I had planned  in a single place and in just spices..(they can get quite high now days), but I changed my mind and went in. I had only one thing in mind.Chocolate...I wanted to find something typical of the Middle Eastern Culture..and I did...I found quite a few variety of candies, not exactly what I had in mind. Until I talked to this gentleman who at first was kind of puzzled (or annoyed) by my request of chocolate from the region..
Why? he asked...well...I'm looking for different notes, tastes and spices in the chocolate...I proceeded to explain the differences between chocolates and cocoas depending on the regions or countries...well, you know the deal...that warmed him a little bit and he started telling me that what he knew was spices...and then ...he got on the phone, told me to wait a second, wrote some things down and said...Come with me...and I'm thinking Oh boy, what did I do now???
He went to were the spices where...took a little bag and started mixing all sorts of things...to fast for me to follow..he was a man on a mission, when he was done..he smelled the bag...told me to smell it..and oh....all I could say was Divine!!!!...I can't even describe it now...sweet, flowery, bitter, spicy...all in one little bag...You want more??? he said...Yes, please...but let me write down what you are putting there so I would remember next time...Don't worry he said...I'll remember...

After he was done...he gave me a recipe of some oatmeal treats with almond butter, butter, brown sugar and the mystery ingredients...that was the kind of treat he liked to eat..not too sweet, more on the nutty crunchy side. He told me only a few of the ingredients on the mystery bag, he kept one or two as his secret...because he said..I will be back...I think he was right...I'm hooked on whatever was in it! Here is His recipe.

Middle Eastern Spiced Oatmeal Squares

3 cups Oatmeal

1  1/2 Stick of butter 

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

3/4 Cup Almond Butter 

1 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

2 TSPS Mystery Spice Bag

(what I know was on the bag, so you can make your own, ginger,  black pepper, coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg, anise)

In a heavy saucepan melt butter and sugar add the oatmeal and cook for about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Add half this mix into a greased medium baking dish (I used a 9x9) to form a crust. Save the other half for topping. 

Melt the chocolate chips and add the almond butter, vanilla and spices. Once all is mixed, remove from heat and   distribute gently with a knife over the previously made crust and top it with the other half of the oatmeal mix. Pressing down on the chocolate. Refrigerate overnight. 

Listo,

 I tried to modify or translate in Recipe fashion what this kind gentleman told me, I think I got it right and they are simply delicious.

As he said, not too sweet, very crunchy and nutty flavored, but the background of all those spices stays in your mouth with every bite and beyond.

I find it is perfect for breakfast, he even told me to have it with natural yogurt and honey...

Or with cinnamon tea

However you choose to have these treats, you will enjoy every bite.

I hope you discovered something new today, as I did this weekend. I will be back for sure, this time pen and paper at hand and maybe a camera if I'm feeling daring....oh did I forget to say that when I got to the register he said...It's O.K ...you will be back!

Oh boy!!!

To be continued....

Besitos,

Lizy

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