Your Own Granola

Ok, so Granola at the store is expensive and is so high in sugar and other stuff, its really not good for you anymore.  So, I made my own - and you can too!  This is my combination of things we like, however you really can put any type of nut, seed, or flavoring you like.  If you aren't a nutmeg fan for example, switch it out with pumpkin pie spice or just add more cinnamon.  Walnuts may be your thing rather than pecans..or macadamia nuts.  The goal is to make it your own, make it healthy, and save yourself from the expensive stuff at the store!

Ingredients:
3 cups old fashioned oats
1/2 cup slivered almonds (or other nut)
1/2 cup chopped pecans (or other nut)
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (or pumpkin pie spice)
1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons canola oil
rind of one medium orange as zest
juice of 1/2 fresh medium orange

Preheat oven to 250 degrees; spray down a large cookie sheet with non-stick spray.  Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and combine all the wet ingredients in a small bowl.  Whisk the wet ingredients until all blended then pour over the dry mixing to cover all the dry.  Spread it all out on the cookie sheet evenly then put it in the oven for 1 hr 30 minutes - no more than 2 hours.  Check on it about every 15-20 minutes and stir it with a spatula to not have any of the edges burn.  When its brown, transfer it all to a cool cookie sheet to crisp up and cool down.  This has to be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

I did the nutritional calculation - if you divide the whole pan up by 10 servings, there are 327 calories per serving, 13.6 grams of fat, 47 grams of carbohydrate, 8 grams of protein, 0% cholesterol, and 6 grams of dietary fiber.  I would recommend using vanilla soy milk on this to boost the protein; of course if you are lactose intolerant, that is optimal also.

I adapted this recipe from a great new website I found - www.wellvegan.com. 

Potatoes ala Susanne

Ok, so my daughter is a potato LOVER - like she loves them ANY way - but this is her favorite.  She absolutely just craves these really any day of the week but on Saturday morning its like a must.  They are super simple, and the good news is if you make some eggs and brown up some sausage, when you mix all three together in a warmed tortilla with cheese you have a superior breakfast taco.   You really don't need a lot of ingredients to pull this off; it makes a lot.

1 or 2 large Yukon Gold potatoes (really any potato, but I like Yukon Gold)

3 strips bacon, cut in 1/2 in dice

2 green onions, chopped

1 garlic clove

Salt, Pepper to taste

1/4 c white wine

2 TBLS olive oil

Cube up the potatoes, cube up the bacon, chop the onion and garlic clove.  Heat a skillet to HI and add the oil and bacon.  Cook until the bacon is getting crisp then add the potatoes, onion and garlic.  Give a good dusting with salt and pepper then saute.  When the bottom on the pan is covered with drippings to the point of almost burn, put in the white wine to deglaze the pan.  Let it reduce for about 5-7 minutes, then drop the heat back and put a lid on it.  Stir about every 2-3 minutes.  If you have an electric stove, turn the heat off now and let it sit; if gas, let it cook for another 5 minutes then take it off the heat.

Makes enough for about 4 people or about 12 tacos if you combine it with the eggs and sausage as above.

You can add thyme, sage, cheese - any combo of ingredients really.  The goal is to make an alternative to plain old hashbrowns.

Also, my most favorite place to eat is Big Daddy's Ship Store - they have a new blog and Chef Matt is one of the best...go check it out!