Lime in the Coconut Bars

Awhile back, I made some Lime Marmalade (even though I called it jelly, it really wasn't), and at the time I wasn't completely fond of it. It was a bit bitter, which is not surprising. Upon opening it the other day, in hopes of being inspired and getting it out of the fridge, I took a deep whiff and was transported to Mexico, because every time I smell a great lime scent I am there. It made me think of Old Mazatlan and Bebidas de Julietta (rum and fresh squeezed tangerine juice), Oaxaca's cozy zocalo, Puerto Escondido's tanned surfers, Merida's pumpkin seed sauce, Vallodolid's chopped bbq'd pork with red onion relish, Tulum's endless beers and haunting cenotes...And now I'm getting completely off track daydreaming about Mexico. So. Ahem. Back to the bars.

My pal Dane suggested something with coconut, and so here I oblige. I am thrilled with the outcome and now I'm glad I have another jar of this marmalade. I was going to give it away! Perish the thought. It's mine, mine, all mine!

This recipe is sort of a riff on a streusel bar and a lemon curd bar recipe. I'm sure you could use any jam or marmalade. I know I will. Instead of streusel (which called for another (!) stick and a half of butter) I put some coconut cashew granola (which I made recently, and had a little bit left of) on for the topping, after chopping it up a little in the processor. The buttery bar offsets the bitter lime, and the citrus notes marry well with the coconut. I'll have to give these away because I could eat them all.

1 1/2 cups flour

1/4 cup confectioner's sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

1 1/2 sticks of butter

Whiz up the butter in the dry stuff (or if you are cool, do it by hand, I applaud you!) until small pea sized crumbs form. Pat mixture into 13x9 inch pan. Bake at 325 for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Slather lime marmalade all over the hot bar. Sprinkle with chopped up granola. Bake another twenty minutes. Let cool completely! Then you can remove it from the pan and chop into little squares with a big knife.