Thursday, March 22, 2012

(A) Date (with Destiny) Bars


Is tempting fate the same as changing destiny?  Sometimes, I get the feeling I've just got to change something that seems to be destined.  Guess I better explain.  . .

When I was interviewing for one of my first jobs (way back) I had to complete a psychological profile/aptitude test.  I was applying for a mid-level management position (and I think they didn't even administer the test if you weren't going to be hired.)  Still I was nervous about it.

When the psychologist sat down with me to review the results, he said that I had excellent verbal skills (no surprise) and lousy math skills (also no surprise.)

What did surprise me was something he said about my "lack of attention to detail."  To quote him, "You're a bright young woman and you can contribute a lot to this company, but you're going to need someone to pick up the pieces after you."  And I'm thinking he was being kind.

Now, tell the truth, how many times have you seen that very quality -- has great attention to detail -- highlighted as a characteristic every employer wants.

No one had ever said that about me before, at least, not to my face.  How did I survive -- even thrive -- and reach the ripe old age of 28 without someone telling me that before.

Perhaps I should have known. I suppose there were clues.  But this is just a mini-confession, not the full-blown deal.  I lose things.  I make piles. I rearrange the piles.  I find things, but don't put them back in the same place every time.  It takes me a lot longer to get something done because of this "lack of attention to detail."

Mr. Rosemary has a name for it:  calls it "lazy brain."

I think he's right.  That explains why I'm a much better cook than a baker.  Why I make a shopping list, even look at it while at the store, then still forget something that was on it.  Lazy brain.

That's why these date bars are a great way for me to practice my baking skills.  If I do forget something, this is very forgiving.  But . . . believe me, I didn't forget a thing.  I was not intimidated at all by these.

"Are these from a box?" asks Mr. Rosemary.

"No siree, " I answer.

"That explains why they're so good.," says he.

Yep. Down to every last stinking detail.

Date Bars
from Bon Appetit
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups pitted dates
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1 cup shredded coconut
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sicks) unsalted butter, diced, room temperature
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Butter and 8X8 inch metal baking pan.  Bring 1 1/2 cups water to simmer in a medium saucepan.  Add the dates and continue to simmer until the mixture is very soft and thick, sitting occasionally.  It will take about 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature, then stir in the vanilla.

Combine flour, sugar, oats, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl and stir to blend.  Add butter.  Using fingertips, rub the butter in until moist clumps form.  Press half of the oat mixture into the prepared pan.  Spread the date mixture over.  Sprinkle with the remaining oat mixture and press down lightly to make sure it adheres.  Bake until brown at the edges and golden brown and set in the  center, about 40 minutes.  Cool completely in pan on rack.  Cut into bars -- as big as you want.  Detail doesn't matter here.

28 comments:

  1. It is mostly men that lack that attention to detail. Clearly, however, having that attention is just dormant in your system. While it is not in your character to be that way, this post is every indication that you can bring out that attention to detail if you so desire! This version of date bars looks amazing. I really like the addition of coconut, my go to recipe does not have that ingredient. These are well worth a try. Have a wonderful day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, paying attention is half the battle! (That, and showing up!)

      Delete
  2. Sometimes I think women who are deemed 'lazy brain' people have too much on their minds ... women balance a lot in their lives, particlarly if they have a job outside the home, kids, and all the responsibilities for running the household ... it makes for 'piles, lists, and shuffling a lot around' ... just sayin'. As for your dessert bars ... what a great crunch combination! I have a similar recipe that also has chopped dried tropical fruit in it - pineapple, mango, and coconut. Totally yum like yours!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd love to try yours, Susan! I just needed to stay tried-and-true this go round.

      Delete
  3. Your date bars are totally amazing. Have a great weekend. Blessings...Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, MAry -- I'll give my brain a rest this weekend.

      Delete
  4. Love date squares and have not made them in years! You are a blogger; you really don't have a lazy brain; we women are multi taskers; quite the opposite of lazy brain.
    Rita

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Juggling hasn't always been my forte, though, Rita -- I'll keep at it!

      Delete
  5. I love this post. Lazy brain. I'm lazy all over probably. :)

    I haven't made date bars for years and years - I'm sure it was when I still lived in the states and made them from a box.

    I can't wait to try these, lazy brain included. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They're much better than from a box . . try 'em again.

      Delete
  6. Oh, I think you're being too harsh on yourself, I forget things on my shopping list too, but then I know people (men) who go out to buy things on the list and come back thinking they got them when in fact those are completely different ingredients :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. Guess I just need to hear that once in a while.

      Delete
  7. It must have been on your mind all these years what your former employer said to you Rosemary, because honestly; I could not even remember what someone said to me the day before. Although certain details, and things do stay with us sometimes, for a lifetime, but don't be harsh on yourself, you're doing everything just great!
    I love the bars, they do look like they came from a box...but so much healthier, and better, not to mention crunchy, and fresh.
    Thanks for sharing the yummy recipe:DDD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Elisabeth. I think it's this school teaching gig that's getting to me . . . I can't be scolding the kids for forgetting their homework, when I can't find the answer key!

      Delete
  8. Its funny how we perceive ourselves and how we are perceived by others. I would take great care to enjoy every bite of these bars. Does that prove I have good attention to detail:D

    ReplyDelete
  9. It's amazing how something someone says to us can stay with us for years... But I do think you are being hard on yourself! A lot of women I know (including me) are like that most of the time too... Lazy brain sounds about right...

    These bars look awesome! I need to make these because all of us love dates... Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Date bars are a pretty simple treat -- but here they're kind of like chocolate chip cookies. Always welcome.

      Delete
  10. I have moments of good attention to detail...and then moments where it's a very "not so much" situation. FOr these date bars...I'd be riveted.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Today was a good detail day -- someone said to me, "Wow! Look how organized you are." (I think it was because it was an aberration due to effort.)

      Delete
  11. What a great story--I have days when I need to pay more attention to detail, for sure. But these bars--they look amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Any baked thing that's easy and good is a detail I can attend.

      Delete
  12. Rosemary, thank you! I recognise those symptoms - lazy brain, eh? I´ll have to tell my husband that. He´ll be pleased to have a label to put on me. Looks like you pay attention to detail when you are producing your wonderful dishes. I have a date with these bars later - love the title!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He thinks it's just a matter of self-discipline. As I say, I think he's right. The date bars are delicious. They're so simple really; I wonder why I don't make them more often. Lazy?

      Delete
  13. My husband has been asking me to bake date bars. We've been married over 20 years, and I didn't know they were his favorites as a kid!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mr. Rosemary loves them, too -- I forget about them, and they are so easy. Even lazy brains can manage them.

      Delete
  14. Haha that is so funny. I've never had to take a psychological aptitude test for any job - thank goodness! I can't even imagine what that would reveal about me... I'm the same way as you (which is why I can't go tot he grocery store without a list, otherwise I'm lost!). I love anything with dates and these bars look just wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I often wonder, though, what would happen if I took the same taste this many years later!?! The same result? Or am I just more aware of myself?

      Delete

I realize you don't have to take the time to comment . . . but it makes my day! So glad you decided to stay.