bars

This week, I set out in search of dishes that would commemorate the Vancouver Games. Besides some Montréal items like poutine, I wasn't having much luck with Canadian-born dishes. Then I stumbled upon a specialty known as the Nanaimo bar. The no-bake chocolate square was born out of the domestic housewifery of the 1950s.

One legend recounts a home cook from Nanaimo, Vancouver Island's second largest city, entering her chocolate squares in a magazine contest and naming them after her hometown. Another story is that homemaker Mabel Jenkins entered her recipe to a fundraising cookbook, and it soon spread like wildfire around the local communities.

Regardless of how it came to be, this extremely fudgy and chocolately no-bake dessert is considered British Columbia's favorite native treat. For a triumphant Northern dessert that really hits the sweet spot, read more.

There's nothing quite as comforting, all-American, or nostalgic as homemade apple pie. While I'm a huge fan of the classic version, when I came across this recipe for apple pie bars, I got really excited. I'm always on the lookout for desserts that can be made in advance, are portable, and don't require utensils and a plate. Why? Because they are perfect for parties!

The bottom layer is shortbread, the middle layer is sugary apples, and the top layer is an oat and walnut crumble. Although it's a time-consuming recipe, the resulting dessert is worth it. They're wonderfully delicious and taste just like apple pie. It's also an ideal recipe for entertaining because you can serve them after breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Ready for the recipe? Read more.

I'm typically wary of fitness drinks with gold packaging; they remind me of the weird muscle-building brands I see at the gym. But when I read the label on Forze GPS shakes and bars, I was intrigued.

This line of snacks, including chocolate and vanilla shakes and four flavors of energy bar, is described as a "weight management tool designed specifically for athletes." They promise to activate your appetite control signals, so they can be used as a between-meal or pre- or post-workout snack. Hear what I thought about their taste and the results.

Getting reminders that there are predatory men out there willing to spike your drink with date-rape drugs kinda keeps me from ever wanting to leave my apartment again, but at least for the brave bar flies out there, there are now coasters that can be used to detect two "popular" date-rape drugs, GHB (aka "Roofies") and ketamine.

Some bars are willing to fork over the 40 cents-per-coaster to hand these out to women so that they feel safe enough to drink at their bars. It's pretty shocking that this is common enough that a whole industry has been built around it. In case you didn't know, there's also the lip gloss that detects date-rape drugs. Sigh. To watch a news clip about a reserve law enforcement officer who was busted by a bartender using one of these coasters, read more

When I hear the word luau, I immediately think of a creamy, cool coconut dessert. This recipe is just that; it combines two favorite pie flavors — key lime and coconut — into one fabulous finger-friendly dessert.

Key lime-coconut bars are ideal for a Saturday night bash. They must be made in advance, are bite-sized and easy to eat, and with their dusting of confectioners sugar and lime zest, look pretty delightful!

Sound scrumptious? Get the recipe.

Not too long ago, I organized a trip to Hog Island Oyster Farm, where I enjoyed an idyllic picnic with seven dear friends. I had a good idea of what dishes to bring, but I was hung up on dessert, until a co-worker suggested blondies. "They're so much better than brownies!" she exclaimed.

I heeded her advice and found a crowd-pleasing blondie recipe that has something for everyone: a sweet, chewy center, chunks of chocolate chips, and crunchy almond slivers scattered on top. They were so comforting that I couldn't stop eating them — so I had to give the rest away! Read on for the perfect portable dessert.

Although one can buy the famed Bi-Rite ice cream around the corner and creme brulee in Dolores Park, I still plan on making a delicious picnic dessert for my sister and her friends. The menu is healthy and light, so this theme will continue with a fruity, melt-in-your mouth crumble.

I chose this recipe because it utilizes blackberries: I'm always making sweet treats that feature strawberries or blueberries, but rarely plump juicy blackberries. These blackberry crumb bars come together quickly and simply and can be made up to three days in advance. To serve this recipe at your next picnic, read more