An Amazing Cookbook

So last week I got the most amazing cookbook! I had heard about it on their blog (Our Best bites) and was interested but decided that I had some birthday money and should use it on something I would enjoy. So I bought this cookbook and have enjoyed reading through it and trying new recipes. They have a picture for each recipe--which always makes it more appealing--and they have tutorials: like how to roast fresh garlic, or cut an artichoke, etc. I have tried three recipes so far and have LOVED each of them...and so has Joshua. I tried their homemade tortillas recipes and they have been the best I've made yet! Then I made the baked creamy chicken taquitos (which by the way I used turkey because I had a little left over) and they were simply amazing. And last night I made the pecan bars...which is like lemon bars and pecan pie combined into wonderful goodness! I also like that most of the recipes use ingredients I have readily on hand. I wrote up the recipe for the pecan bars so you can try it out...but be forewarned they are addicting! The recipe book can be bought on Amazon for a very reasonable price and don't forget they have a blog that has tons of recipes....

Pecan Bars:
6 T butter
6 T shortening
3/4C powdered sugar
1 1/2 C plus 2 T flour
2 eggs
1 c brown sugar
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 t vanilla
3/4 c chopped pecans

Glaze:
1 1/2 c powdered sugar
2 T butter, melted
3 T orange juice
1 t lemon juice

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Cream butter, shortening, and powdered sugar. Add 1 1/2 cups flour and mix until combined. Press evenly in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Bake for 13-14 minutes.
3. Mix remaining flour and the rest of the ingredients (except for the glaze) and spread over the hot crust. Return pan to oven and bake 20 minutes more.
4. Remove from oven. While still warm, spread with glaze. Cool completely and cut into bars.