Rhubarb-Strawberry Bars

On the Menu Today~
Rhubarb Strawberry Bars

Rhubarb and Strawberries were meant for each other.
It's a marriage made in "flavor combination heaven"
The flavor combination is wonderful and delicious.
Rhubarb adds tartness, while the strawberries adds sweetness.

Rhubarb-Strawberry filling adds that special touch to these bars and
also in this recipe for: Rhubarb-Strawberry Coffee Cake

Rhubarb Strawberry Bars

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats, quick or regular
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 2 to 3 cups rhubarb strawberry filling

Cooking Directions

1. Bar Directions:
2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar and baking soda. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped nuts. Reserve 1 cup of crumb mixture for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of prepared pan. Evenly spread 2 to 3 cups rhubarb filling on top. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture and additional chopped nuts, if desired.
3. Bake at 375º for 30 to 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and filling is bubbly.
4. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Rhubarb Strawberry Filling

Ingredients

• 4 cups fresh or frozen rhubarb, sliced
• 4 cups fresh or frozen whole hulled strawberries, cut in half
• 2 to 4 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup cornstarch

Cooking Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine fruit and water, cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add fresh lemon juice and lemon zest to fruit mixture, stir.
2. In small bowl, combine sugar and cornstarch; add to fruit mixture.
3. Cook and stir 4 to 5 minutes or until mixture thickens and is bubbly, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Use an immersion blender to blend fruit into a filling consistency. Cool.

* Rhubarb Strawberry Filling can be frozen, thawed and
used in any of your favorite rhubarb recipes*

Rhubarb, Dessert, Strawberry, Bars, Filling