Recipe: Marshmallow Peanut Butter Popcorn - Gluten-Free

Introduce them to this one, and your kids will forget all about feeling "deprived" of gluten! This gluten-free snack makes a great dessert that will keep everyone happy on movie night, and you won't have to worry about whether there is any hidden gluten in it. Whip this one up as a special treat from time to to time, and no one will complain about missing their favorite candy or cupcakes!

Ooey Gooey Marshmallow Peanut Butter Popcorn - Gluten Free
(Serves 4-6.)

Popcorn (Photo credit: jayneandd)

Ingredients:

12 cups popped popcorn
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
20 large marshmallows (gluten free)
1/4 cup peanut butter

Directions:

• Put the popped popcorn in a heat-resistant bowl; set aside.
• Put the butter, brown sugar, and marshmallows in a large pot over low heat and cook, stirring frequently, until marshmallows are melted. Add the peanut butter and continue stirring until the peanut butter dissolves - remove from heat.
• Pour the hot marshmallow mixture evenly over the popcorn, tossing several times to coat evenly.
• You can butter your hands and form popcorn into small balls for a simpler serving idea - the kids would love to help!

Recipe: Grilled Sweet Bourbon Tenderloin Steaks

Nothing says American like bourbon and beef! This 4th of July, fire up the grill for this super-simple and incredibly tasty recipe that is soon to become a favorite in your household. The recipe below serves 2, but is easily adjusted for your 4th of July barbecue needs. Once you've tried it, you'll want to repeat it soon as a romantic one-on-one summer evening dinner as well!

Grilled Sweet Bourbon Tenderloin Steaks
(Serves 2.)

Ingredients:

2 beef tenderloin steaks, 1 1/2 inch thick
2 Tbsp Bourbon
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp fresh ground black pepper

Instructions:

1. Whisk together the bourbon, brown sugar, salt, and pepper in a bowl, and pour over steaks in a glass dish.  Let sit for 10 minutes.
2. Preheat grill to medium-high.
3. Place steaks on preheated grill and cook for approximately 13 minutes for rare, 17 for medium, or 20 for well done, turning once during cooking time.
4. Remove to a plate and let rest for 3 minutes before cutting.

Summer Recipe: Grilled Peaches with Pecans

Create a surprise treat on the grill this summer with this amazing summer dessert. This takes fruit to a whole new level! Sweet ripe peaches enhanced with brown sugar, over ice cream and topped with pecans - you really can't get much better than that....  Plus it's a really fast and easy dessert if you've already got the grill fired up. Impress folks at your next barbecue with this innovative yet easy recipe. For an adult twist, try adding a splash of brandy instead of the vanilla.

Grilled Peaches with Pecans
(Serves 4.)

Ingredients:

4 peaches (ripe, but not mushy), cut in half and pit removed
1 tsp vanilla extract
5 tbsp soft brown sugar (you can use less if the peaches are very sweet)
Large handful of chopped pecans
Frozen low-fat vanilla yogurt - enough for 4 servings

Instructions:

1. Place the peaches into a bowl and add the sugar and drizzle with the vanilla extract. Toss to coat lightly. Set aside and allow to soak up the flavors for about 15-20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, preheat a grill to medium-high and grill the peach halves for about 5 - 8 minutes, then turn over and grill for a further 2 - 3 minutes. There should be grill marks on the peaches. 
3. Divide into 4 dishes and serve immediately with frozen yogurt and a sprinkle of chopped pecans.

Recipe - Oat Pecan Cream Bars

Besides a breakfast cereal, a favorite way to eat oats is in breads, muffins, and desserts. Oats add a hearty texture and nutty taste, and are a great way to incorporate some fiber and some of the other nutritional benefits of oats into your diet - in a form everyone will eat! While you don't want to eat oatmeal cookies for breakfast every day, it's certainly okay to have them as a treat from time to time, and you know at least part of the ingredients are healthy.

These tasty bars make a yummy, hearty after-dinner snack, and you can cut down on the sugar, or substitute honey or other natural sweeteners if desired.

Oat Pecan Brown Sugar Bars

Image via WikipediaIngredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened at room temperature
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 cup sugar (or honey)
2 eggs, separated
2 Tbsp water
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups old fashioned oats, uncooked
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup brown sugar (for topping)
3/4 cup chopped, lightly toasted pecans

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9x13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray, or butter.
• In large bowl, put butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and white sugar (or honey).
• Mix with electric beater until light and fluffy.
• Add egg yolks, water, and vanilla extract and continue to beat until well blended.
• Add oats, flour, and baking soda and blend well with a wooden spoon until a dough is formed.
• Spread dough in bottom of baking pan.
• Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
• Remove and place on rack to cool.
• Turn the oven down to 325 degrees.
• In a new cold bowl, add egg whites and beat with electric mixer until light and foamy.
• Slowly add 1/2 cup brown sugar, continuing to beat until you get stiff peaks.
• Distribute this mixture over the bars, spreading to edges of pan. 
• Put pecans on top, sprinkling evenly. Put in 325 degree oven and bake 15 to 20 minutes until lightly browned.
• Remove and cool for 10 minutes on a rack.
• Cut into bars, then when cooled completely, remove from pan and serve.