Blueberry Oat Bars

1 3/4 c Quaker Oats, uncooked

-- (quick or old-fashioned) 1 1/2 c All-purpose flour

3/4 c Brown sugar, firmly packed

1/2 c Chopped nuts

1/2 ts Baking soda

1/2 ts Salt (optional)

3/4 c Margarine or butter; melted

2 c Fresh or frozen blueberries

1/2 c Granulated sugar

3 tb Water

2 tb Cornstarch

2 ts Lemon juice

Heat oven to 350 F. Grease 11x7-inch glass baking dish. Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, nuts, baking soda and salt. Add margarine, mixing until crumbly. Reserve 3/4 cup mixture; press remaining mixture onto bottom of prepared dish. Bake 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine blueberries, granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons water. Bring to a boil, simmer 2 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally. Combine remaining 1 tablespoon water, cornstarch, and lemon juice; mix well. Gradually stir into blueberry mixture; cook and stir about 30 seconds or until thickened. Spread over partially baked base to within 1/4 inch of edge; sprinkle with reserved oat mixture. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until topping is golden brown. Cool on wire rack; cut into bars. Store tightly covered. NUTRITIONAL ANALYSIS per bar: * calories 272 * carbohydrates 37 g * protein 4 g * fat 12 g * calcium 24 mg * sodium 150 mg * cholesterol 0 mg * dietary fiber 2 g Source: "Hurry, Let's Eat!" Reprinted with permission from The Quaker Oats Company Electronic format courtesy of Karen Mintzias