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Diet-Friendly ChitChat Bars with Fresh Lime Icing

By Charlotte on September 15, 2015 12:00 PM

By Judith Fertig, author Bake Happy

My friend Liz Benson, who loves to chat, gave her more laconic husband Tom a pack of "chitchat" cards for Christmas. Each card has a question guaranteed to be a conversation starter. These bars prompt the same flow of communication. When you bring them in to work or to a meeting, they break down social barriers, as unexpected treats generally do. Plus, you can reach almost everyone. On a diet? No problem. Fresh-ginger flavored with a hint of lime, just one good-carb cookie will satisfy. Gluten-free? Yes. Vegan? Check. Delicious? You betcha. Use a microplane grater to make short work of the fresh ginger--you don't even have to peel it.


ChitChat Bars

Makes 24 Bars

Chitchat Bars 600.jpgBars:

Fresh Lime Icing:

Line a 13 x 9-inch (33 x 23-cm) baking pan with parchment paper so that the paper comes up the sides of the pan. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

For the bars, in a large bowl, whisk together the flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and ground ginger. In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh ginger, water, sorghum, oil and vanilla until well blended. Pour the sorghum mixture into the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until you have a soft yet sturdy dough. Spoon and press the dough into the prepared pan.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the cookie is firm to the touch in the middle of the pan. Remove the cookie from the oven and let it cool for 20 minutes, then cut it into bars using a small, sharp knife. Arrange the cooled bars on a piece of parchment paper on a flat workJudith Fertig, Bake Happy 350.jpg surface.

For the Fresh Lime Icing, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, almond milk and lime zest in a medium bowl until smooth. Using the tines of a fork or a whisk, drizzle a pattern of icing over each bar. Let the icing set for 1 hour before serving. Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

***

Judith Fertig, author Bake Happy

About the Author

Judith Fertig is a prolific cookbook author who has studied at the Cordon Bleu in London and La Varenne Ecole de Cuisine in Paris. She is the coauthor of The Gardener and the Grill, Patio Pizzeria and BBQ Bistro, and author of 500 Cupcakes, Back In the Swing, I Love Cinnamon Rolls! and The Cake Therapist, among many others. She lives in Kansas City, Missouri. Visit her at: www.judithfertig.com.

Recipe Excerpted from

Bake Happy: 100 Playful Desserts with Rainbow Layers, Hidden Fillings, Billowy Frostings and More

Author: Judith Fertig

Publisher: Running Press

Bake Happy Cover 350.jpgPenned: June 2015

What's Inside: 100 easy-to-follow recipes for colorful, homemade treats sure to bring everyone pleasure. You'll find ideas for cupcakes and cookies, bars and brownies, tarts and turnovers, and cakes and custards as well as syrups, icings, fruit toppings and decorations that add to the fun.

As pretty as they are delicious, these colorful goodies include everything from Homemade Oreos to Rainbow Cake with Robin's Egg Blue Frosting. This cheerful collection also features loads of make-ahead tips and flavor-boosting hints perfect for anyone wanting to share some joy (who knew dessert served on a round white plate tastes 10 percent better than the same dessert presented on a square black plate?).

Time Out: 240 pages

Available: $27.50 hardcover at Amazon and other retailers

* Reprinted with permission from Bake Happy © 2015 by Judith Fertig, Running Press, a member of the Perseus Books Group.

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Diabetes-Friendly Chicken Burrito Bowl

ChickenBurritoBowlEverydayDiabetes 600.jpg

By Laura Cipullo and Lisa Mikus, authors of Everyday Diabetes Meals
Image credit: Colin Erricson

Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.

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If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.

If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.

Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.

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