Sweet and crunchy granola

I’ve always loved granola, whether it’s sprinkled on top of tangy yogurt, eaten as cereal with milk or just a grab-and-go snack.  Although I usually prefer steel cut oatmeal, rolled oats work perfectly for granola and still contribute to our daily intake of whole grains.  Here’s my recipe for a delicious sweet and crunchy, maple-olive oil granola.               

           

Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (hulled)

1/4 cup pistachios (hulled)

1/4 cup dried cherries

2 tbsp golden raisins

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/8 cup olive oil

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)

Method:

1) Combine oats, pumpkin seeds, pistachios, maple syrup, olive 
   oil, cinnamon and salt in large bowl

2) Preheat oven to 300F

3) Spread mixture evenly onto lined baking sheet

4) Bake 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes until golden brown

5) Mix with dried cherries and raisins, let cool and enjoy

Mmmm.....
Simply delicious with plain yogurt, honey, pear slices and a handful of blueberries

Cinnamon spiced candied walnuts

In light of Spring, I’ve decided to challenge myself to eating more salads, though I often struggle to find one that is delicious and intriguing enough to excite me with flavor.  Here’s a recipe for candied walnuts that pair perfectly with oatmeal and fresh fruit as well as a spinach, pear and gorgonzola salad. 

Ingredients:

3/4 cup chopped walnuts

1 1/2 tbsp honey

1/4 tsp paprika

cinnamon (to taste)

salt (to taste)

Method:
1) Preheat oven to 350 F
2) Thoroughly mix honey, cinnamon, paprika and salt in small bowl
3) Add walnuts and mix until evenly covered
4) Spread walnut mixture onto baking sheet lined with parchment 
   paper, making sure to smooth out clumps
5) Bake 15 minutes, stirring nuts around halfway through cook time
6) Let cool completely, crumble off excess honey mixture and place 
   in closed container

I Dream of Weenie

Here’s a little hot dog spot in East Nashville.  The name said enough to spark my interest and the yellow VW bus adds to the whimsical atmosphere.  Here’s a menu and a couple of photos of this clever spot!  Next time I'll be sure to get a couple shots of the yummy weenies themselves!

Frank and to the Point

  Mustard, ketchup, onions, sweet relish.......................$2.50

Slaw Weenie

  Mustard, onions, Home made slaw..............................$3.00

Kraut Weenie

  Spicy mustard, kraut.........................................$3.00

Dill Weenie

  Mustard, onions, dill pickle spear...........................$3.00

Chili Cheese Weenie

  Spicy chili, cheese, mustard onions..........................$3.00

Rebel Yelp

  Tennessee Chow Chow, mustard, onions, jalapeno peppers.......$3.50

Flamin' Frank

  Spicy chili, cheese, mustard, onions, hot salsa, jalapeno

  peppers......................................................$3.50

Pimento Cheese Weenie

  Home made pimento cheese.....................................$3.50

add chili or slaw for 50¢ All weenies served on your choice of 100% Beef, Turkey or Tofu.

Vibrant vegetables

Here’s a little something to salivate over... Beets from the Noe Valley Whole Foods Market. 

The funny thing is that I don’t even like beets; yet these vibrant colors make me just want to gobble them up!

What would you do with them?