PB and J Bars

1. 
   
   

   • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
   • 3 cups all-purpose flour (I used 2 of AP and 1 of WW)
   • 1 1/2 cups sugar
   • 2 large eggs
   • 2 1/2 cups  peanut butter (I used crunchy)
   • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
   • 1 teaspoon baking powder
   • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
   • 1 1/2 cups  jam - any flavor will do
   • 2/3 cup salted peanuts, roughly chopped
   
   

   1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch pan  Mix butter and sugar in bowl.  Beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. On medium speed, add eggs, vanilla and peanut butter; beat until combined, about 2 minutes.
   2. Whisk together salt, baking powder, and flour. Add to bowl of mixer on low speed; combine. Transfer two-thirds of mixture to prepared pan; spread evenly. Spread jam on top of peanut-butter mixture. Dollop remaining third of peanut-butter mixture on top of jam. Sprinkle with peanuts.
   3. Bake until golden, about 30-40 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool; then cover and refrigerate for an hour before cutting into about thirty-six 1 1/2-by-2-inch pieces.
    

Coronation Chicken Salad

Had to make this in honor of our British family - made for QE II coronation 60 years ago.

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves 1/3 cup sultana raisins 1 (1 pound) large mango, peeled, thinly sliced 2/3 cup mayonnaise

1 teaspoon mild curry powder 1 tablespoon mango chutney 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper 3/4 cup toasted cashews

1.	The recipe called for boiling the chicken  but I grilled it, then shredded it.
2.	In a large bowl, stir together chicken strips, raisins, and half of the mango.
3.	In a medium bowl, mix together mayonnaise, curry powder, chutney, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper, then toss gently with chicken mixture. Stir in half the nuts. Transfer to a platter, and garnish with remaining mango strips and cashews.

It was really yummy. I liked the mango and the chutney. I think another time I'll add sliced grapes instead of raisins. I've come to like them with chicken. Have any of you tried roasted grapes? I saw a recipe calling for them but haven't tried them yet!

Jamie's Italy, Oxford - October 2012

....what was left of The Plank - fennel salami, pistachio mortadella, prosciutto & schiacciata piccante,
pickles, green chillies, best green olives & caper berries, cheeses, rosemary focaccia, sourdough, crispy "music bread", ciabatta & tortano,

Dad's pasta dish....I can't remember what it was but it was yummy!

Jamie's famous polenta chips topped with parm and rosemary...

brick chicken.....

Risotto with fresh peas......and shoots...

We missed having Tom with us and can't wait to go back....