Need a quick pan of bars? Try these

If you need a quick pan of bars, no need to buy a prepackaged mix. You can make Blonde Brownies with just a few ingredients commonly found on hand.

These are chewy, delicious and very easy to make. Even the kids can put these together with very little help if at all.

Blonde Brownies

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup chopped nuts

6 ounces chocolate chips

Melt butter in a 2-quart saucepan or a 2-quart bowl, or microwave on medium high for a few seconds until melted. Stir in remaining ingredients except chocolate chips. Spread in a greased and floured 9x13-inch pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Serve plain or sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Mj's Bean Dip

This dip gets rave reviews every time it's served.

1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

2 cans black-eyed peas, drained

1 can whole kernel corn, drained

1 small jar pimento

1 small purple onions, diced

1 medium red or green pepper, diced

3/4 cup cider vinegar

1 tablespoon water

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 cup sugar or Splenda

Combine the first four ingredients. Add the purple onion and red or green pepper; set aside. Combine the vinegar, water, olive oil, salt, pepper and sugar or Splenda. Bring to a boil and cool. Pour the mixture over the ingredients in the bowl, mix and marinate overnight. Serve with tostada chips.

Broiled Fish Fillets

Serving size: 4

2 pounds fish fillets (walleye or orange roughy)

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

4 tablespoons light butter, softened

3 tablespoons Mayonnaise

3 tablespoons green onion, chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt

Dash pepper

Dash Tabasco sauce

Spray dish for broiler. Place fish in dish. Brush with 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Let stand 10 minutes. Combine 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 4 tablespoons butter (softened), 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, green onions, salt, pepper and Tabasco sauce. First broil the fish 3 to 4 inches from heat for 5 minutes. Spread mixture over fillets. Broil 2-3 minutes. About 8 Weight Watchers points.

GARY'S TIP: Freeze honey in small freezer containers to prevent sugaring. It thaws quickly.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.