Grandmas Rhubarb Bars Food

RHUBARB BARS WITH SHORTBREAD CRUST

Steps:

• Begin by prepping the rhubarb: chop the rhubarb into bite size pieces. I like to split each stalk at least in half lengthwise (if not thirds) so that you don't get any huge chunks. After slicing, chop into 1/2 to 1 inch pieces.
• Add all the rhubarb to a bowl, along with 1/2 cup grenadine syrup. Stir it all together so that the rhubarb is coated. Let sit for 1-2 hours on the counter stirring occasionally, or even overnight (put it in the fridge, covered, if you go overnight.) This is to get the rhubarb a nice bright red color. It is not a necessary step but it sure is pretty!* When you are ready to make the rhubarb bars, drain the rhubarb in a colander.
• While the rhubarb soaks, prepare the shortbread crust. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Line an 8x8 or 9x9 inch square pan with parchment paper, or spray with nonstick spray. Set aside.
• In a large bowl or stand mixer, add 1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter. Beat until smooth and creamy, making sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
• Add 3/4 cup granulated sugar and beat again for at least 1-2 minutes, stopping to scrape the sides and bottom, until the mixture is light and fluffy.
• Add 1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract and beat.
• Add 2 cups of flour, spooned and leveled, and 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt.
• Beat in the flour and salt until the mixture has come together and has formed a ball. Scrape sides as necessary. Do not over mix; beat just until the flour is combined and then no more (otherwise your shortbread will be tough).
• Divide the dough into two, one with a little more than half the dough. (Cover the smaller piece of dough and put it in the fridge.)
• Press a little more than half of the dough into the prepared square pan. Getting your hands a little damp can be helpful. I like to leave the edges raised a half inch or so, so that you have a bit of crust on the edge pieces, but pressing it all flat will work too. If you have time, chill the dough for a few minutes, 10-20 minutes is best. Cold dough going into a hot oven makes for very tender shortbread.
• Bake the crust at 375 for about 15 minutes, or until light brown on the edges. My shortbread puffed up in the middle even though I had made a raised crust, so I gently pressed the center back down with the back of a spoon, when it was very hot from the oven still.
• Set the crust aside and let cool for a few minutes.
• Leave the oven on but lower the temperature to 350 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, prepare the rhubarb filling: drain the rhubarb in a colander or strainer. Add your red rhubarb to a medium bowl.
• Stir in 3/4 cup sugar (add a couple extra tablespoons if you skipped the grenadine soak*).
• Add 1/4 cup all purpose flour and stir.
• At this point you can add 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon zest, but it is optional. It brightens up the flavor of the rhubarb, but you can definitely taste the lemon. Feel free to add just the juice and skip the zest for a milder hint of lemon. If you are a rhubarb purist, skip the lemon entirely.
• Pour the rhubarb filling over the baked crust.
• Use you fingers to break off medium pieces of shortbread from your stash in the fridge. Check the photos to see the size we're talking. I like big ol chunks. You don't have to cover the rhubarb entirely.
• Bake the rhubarb bars in the oven at 350 for about 45-50 minutes. The bars are done when the shortbread on top is golden in several spots across the top. A fork should also slide easily into a piece of rhubarb; it should be completely tender.
• Let the bars cool completely. I stuck mine in the freezer to speed this up.
• If you would like to top with a vanilla glaze, in a medium bowl combine 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 teaspoons milk, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until smooth. Drizzle over the top of the cooled bars and let the glaze set up for 20-30 minutes before slicing and serving.

GRANDMA'S RHUBARB BARS

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350*. Have ready a 9 x 13 inch pan.
• 2. For Crust: Mix sugar and flour. Cut in butter, until mixture is crumbly. (a food processor works well here) Pat into pan. Bake 10 minutes.
• 3. While crust is baking, prepare the filling: Beat egg yolks, salt, sugar, flour, cream, and vanilla. Add rhubarb. Pour over crust. Bake 25 minutes. Lower oven temp. to 300*, bake 20 minutes more. Remove from oven.
• 4. Raise oven temp. back to 350*
• 5. While your bars are baking, prepare the topping: Beat ingredients intil stiff peaks form. Spread over hot filling. Bake for 15 minutes, or until meringue is nicely browned.
• 6. Cool and cut into bars.

GRANDMA DONNA'S RHUBARB CRISP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Stir 1 cup flour, brown sugar, oats, and melted butter together in a bowl. Press 1/2 to 3/4 of the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch square baking dish.
• Beat eggs and milk together in a large bowl until smooth. Stir rhubarb, strawberries, white sugar, 1/4 cup flour, and allspice into the egg mixture until the flour and sugar dissolve completely; pour over the crust. Sprinkle remaining crust mixture over the top of the fruit layer.
• Bake in preheated oven until the filling is set, 45 to 60 minutes.

GRANDMA'S RHUBARB RELISH

Steps:

• Chop rhubarb and onions in small pieces.
• Add sugar, vinegar and spices.
• Boil till tender over medium heat.
• Stirring every few minutes so it doesn't stick to bottom of pot.
• Seal hot in sterilized jars and process for 15 minutes in a canner. Label jars.
• Cooking time is a guesstimate. Cook until rhubarb and onions are very soft.

RHUBARB DREAM BARS

Steps:

• In food processor, mix together the crust ingredients.
• Press into a 15 x 10-inch pan.
• Bake at 350° for 15 minutes (crust will be very light colored).
• Meanwhile, combine eggs, sugar, flour and salt; beat together.
• Fold in rhubarb.
• Spread filling mixture on hot crust; return to oven to bake 40-45 minutes longer.
• Cool; cut into bars.

GRANDMA'S RHUBARB CRISP

Steps:

• In bowl combine sugar, 1 T flour and cinnamon.
• Add rhubarb; toss.
• Place in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
• In bowl combine brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and remaining flour; stir in butter.
• Sprinkle over rhubarb.
• Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 40 minutes or until rhubarb is tender.

GRANDMA'S RHUBARB JELLY

Steps:

• Cover and cook rhubarb in water over low heat until tender (about 15 minutes).
• Cut candy orange slices (gumdrop type) into rhubarb.
• add lemon and cook slowly--stirring frequently--till thick.
• Pour into jelly jars.
• Grated lemon peel can also be used to enhance flavor.