Muesli Bar Slice Recipe & a GIVEAWAY!!!!

One of the favourites for the school and work lunch boxes.

I know this muesli slice is not exactly a weight loss food, but the kids like it and at least I know exactly what is in it as opposed to a lot of the prepackaged bars in the shops.

And I get to bake something....which I love to do.

Well, it's kinda a mix and pour recipe rather than real baking.

But whatevs....

I purchased this Macro porridge from Woolworths for my own brekkie, but I had to try it out in this recipe. I normally use regular oats. I think this has a better flavour and texture.

The recipe is easy and can be adaptable to suit your tastes. 
All you need to do is mix together the dry ingredients in a large bowl:
2 cups of Muesli
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup desiccated coconut
I added spoonfuls of pepitas, dried cranberries, some sultanas AND
1/2 cup dark choc chips

next:
mix your dry ingredients with a can of sweetened condensed milk ....mix really well
"pour" into a non stick baking tin (or slice tin) I used a silicone slice tray from Chef's Toolbox.
I press the mixture down with a drinking glass.

Bake at 180C for about 15-20 mins. Just check for doneness. The slice should be golden brown.  It will still be soft when you remove it from the oven. Let it cool for 10 mins, then slice into bars and place on a rack to cool completely and firm up.

My family usually tuck into some with a glass of milk, long before the slice cools down.

The rest gets stored in an airtight container, ready for the lunch boxes.

Speaking of lunch boxes, the pickles have been enjoying these Organic juices from Sunraysia that were sent to them to try. I even put some in the freezer....they loved that.

We all want to give our kids healthy options and these juices are up there on the list. 

This is why: Sunraysia Organic is 100% organic fruit juice with Nothing Added, Nothing Taken Away. Made from certified organic fruit, Sunraysia Organic is all natural with no artificial colours and flavours, no chemical pesticides, no genetic modification and no added sugars or preservatives.  There are four fresh, great tasting juices in the range - Apple, Orange, Apple & Blackcurrant and Tropical.

I love the fact that my kids can drink juices from fruit hasn't been sprayed with pesticides. I find that reassuring. 

What's more, the durable pouch that the Sunraysia juices come in are 100% recyclable and, thanks to its unique design, will mean less waste going into Australian landfills.

Sunraysia Organic is certified by Ecocert, one of the world’s largest organic certification organisations, as well as Australian Certified Organic (ACO) Australia’s premier organic certifier.

Sunraysia Organic is available from supermarkets nationally with a RRP of $1.49 each 

or 5 for $5.00 at selected stores.

Would you like to win a bunch of these fabulous juices?

This giveaway has now closed.

The prize :

Thanks to Sunraysia for giving this prize to one lucky reader.

40 samples of the juice (10 of each flavour) - just enough to cover two school lunches per day for one month

&

an eco shopper bag - to make Mum's life a little easier when she's doing the grocery shopping

Value = $70 each

How to enter:

Just let me know in the comments* what you put in your school or work lunch box on an average day. 

I'll choose the most interesting "menu" as the winner. AUSSIE'S ONLY, sorry.

Open to enter until midnight Melbourne time on Wednesday, Feb 20th 2013.

I'll announce the winner on the blog shortly after the giveaway closes.

Good luck.

*A few people have contacted me saying they can't leave a comment (or it deletes itself after they put it up), so if you want to enter and are having a problem, I've decided that you can alternatively send me your entry via email at

threepickles@optusnet.com.au 

Disclosure: This product was provided for editorial consideration.   3pickles has no affiliation with any companies mentioned and has receives no remuneration for posting reviews. All of my opinions are honest and are only influenced by the awesomeness of a product or service. No BS on this blog.
3pickles receive lots of products to review, but only the things that we (Marnie & the pickles) love end up here on the blog.

Choc Chip Cookie Update

I don't know how long these have been in the supermarket, but I only saw them this week. I had to try them in my Choc Chip Cookie Recipe.

Thanks Cadbury...love from the 3pickles (and me)

Stayed tuned for a special Halloween SFX Make-Up Tutorial next week!

Linking to

{recipe} Choc Chip Cookies

Everyone loves a good cookie don't they?

These are the BEST EVER Choc Chip Cookies.

125g butter at room temp

1 cup (200g) brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla essence

1 egg

2 tbs milk

1 cup (150g) plain flour

1/2 cup (75g) self-raising flour

1 cup (185g) choc chips

1 cup walnuts, chopped (or equiv amount of white choc chips, macadamias, or whatever takes your fancy)

1. Preheat oven to 170C.

2. Line two baking trays with non stick baking paper.

3. beat butter, sugar and vanilla till creamy, add egg and milk and beat a little more till combined.

4. Mix through the flours and add the choc chips and nuts.

5. Take small amounts and roll into balls, place on baking trays and press down to flatten a little.

6. Bake for 12-15 mins (depending on your oven).

8. Let cool on tray for about 5 mins...if you can wait.

9. Transfer to wire rack to cool.

ENJOY!

I could tell you that these cookies can be stored in an airtight container for a couple of days, but they've never lasted long enough in this house to get to the storage part.....

linking to

a Beach Cottage

The Frugal Girls

{recipe} ANZAC Biscuits

It's ANZAC day here in Australia. 

Every year I make these ANZAC cookies. I make them often throughout the year too as they are Mr 3P's favourite. I found this recipe years ago, from a Smith's Premium Golden Syrup advertisement. You can substitute the golden syrup for honey or molasses (but then they won't be real ANZAC biscuits, will they?)

If you want to know more about ANZAC Day you can go here. And if you want to know more about the history of ANZAC biscuits, you can go here.

An Australian Tradition

ANZAC Biscuits

Makes approx 20
1 cup desiccated coconut
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup uncooked rolled oats
1 cup plain flour
3 tablespoons Golden Syrup
1/2 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate soda
2 tablespoons boiling water

Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.

Melt butter and golden syrup in a pan over low heat (or in microwave for about 1 minute).

Mix bicarbonate of soda with boiling water and stir into the melted mixture (it will froth up a bit). Then pour into centre of the dry ingredients. Mix to a moist but firm consistency. ( I'm not sure why, but occasionally the mixture can be too dry and crumbly, so I'll add just a little more melted butter)

Wet hands and roll tablespoons sized amounts into balls and place on lined baking sheets. Press to flatten slightly with a fork dipped in flour.

Bake for about 15 minutes in a moderate oven.  190 C/ 375F
Cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.