YOU SHOULD MAKE THIS // ISSUE 01

I first want to acknowledge everyone on the front lines around the world right now. Thank you for saving us. There are so many people struggling financially in the food industry and beyond. If you can, help them. Take their online classes. Buy produce from farms close by. Take a moment to be grateful for what you do have. 

Amidst this chaos, we're all forced to source individual ingredients, stay home and build meals. The idea of starting a recipe newsletter has been ruminating with me for years and although these are challenging circumstances, I selfishly love that you're all cooking. 

So today You Should Make This comes alive: a weekly-ish newsletter where I plan to share the recipes I think you should make. Starting with these easy, healthy cookie clusters. Chances are you have some version of all 5 ingredients on hand. Chances are you enjoy getting only one dish dirty when you bake. And chances are you need something sweet in your life right about now.

BANANA & NUT BUTTER OAT CLUSTERS
PARTS
— 3 very ripe bananas
— 2 cups old fashioned/rolled oats
— 1 cup crunchy nut butter, like peanut
— 1 tsp cinnamon
— a big pinch of salt

Optional: 1/2 cup chopped chocolate or cocoa nibs, coconut flakes, a scoop of protein powder, a little nutmeg or any other spices, dried fruits, seeds etc.

CLUES
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until jammy and mostly smooth. 
3. Stir in the oats, nut butter, cinnamon, salt and any other ingredients you're feeling until fully combined.
4. Scoop the mixture into balls (golf ball size-ish) and place on prepared baking sheet. No need to space too far apart, these don’t spread much.  
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until just set. Let cool on the baking sheet, then transfer to an air tight container and store in the fridge. 

Get into the kitchen, listen to this playlist and make something delicious. 

Until next week, crew.