Posts Tagged ‘almonds’

Have you ever made your own granola?

I tried it last week and was pleasantly impressed at how simple and easy it was. I’d tried it once before, but wasn’t paying enough attention to it as it baked in the oven and burned the heck out of it. This time was much more successful, and the result oh so yummy!

If you’ve ever purchased granola at the store you know how expensive it is. Making it yourself is definitely the way to go!

One of the best things about granola is how versatile it is. You don’t have to be completely precise in your proportions, and you can add a lot of other ingredients (or not). Its also incredibly filling, so one batch lasts quite awhile.

Note: If you decide to double this recipe, don’t try to cook it all at once. Overcrowding the pan will cause it to not cook evenly.

Homemade [Deluxe] Granola

4 1/2 c. rolled oats (do not use quick oats)
1 c. shredded coconut
3/4 c. wheat germ
3/4 c. sliced (or chopped) almonds
3/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 c. instant non-fat dry milk

3/4 c. chopped misc. nuts (I used a combination of pecans, walnuts, and peanuts) – optional

1/3 c. vegetable oil
1/3 c. honey

1/2 c. dried fruit (I used dried apples, bananas, and mangos) – optional
1 c. raisins – optional

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease a large baking pan (approx. 16 x 11 x 2″) with shortening and set aside (a good coating of PAM will also work).

Combine the first 6 ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add additional nuts/seeds as desired. Mix well.

In a small saucepan combine the oil and honey (hint: measure the oil first then use the same measuring cup to measure your honey. The oily residue will help the honey slip out of the cup more easily). Heat on the stove until the honey is dissolved and the mixture well blended. Stir well throughout.

Add the honey mixture to the dry ingredients and stir to coat.

Spread into prepared pan and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir with spatula every 5 minutes until the granola reaches the desired color.

Remove from the oven and stir in dried fruit and raisins.

Cool completely and store at room temperature in an airtight container.

OPTIONS:
Nut/Seed suggestions: sunflower seeds (shelled), sesame seeds, pecans, filberts, peanuts, walnuts, cashews
Fruit suggestions: raisins, chopped dates, dried (chopped) apricots/peaches/bananas, dried mango, dried cranberries

You can make an apple-cinnamon granola by adding 1 Tbsp cinnamon and 1 1/2 c. dried chopped apples in place of dried fruits/raisins.

You can make a maple flavored granola by replacing the honey with pure maple syrup

I hope you enjoy this recipe. We sure do. I’d love to hear what variations you use! I was wondering about freeze dried strawberries… if anyone tries that, let me know. What is your favorite granola addition? How do  you take your granola… dry by the handful? With milk as a breakfast cereal (my personal favorite)? As a yogurt topping? Please share.

Chinese Chicken Salad

My cousin came up to visit me a couple of weeks ago, and we made this super yummy Chinese Chicken Salad. It kind of has some odd ingredients, but its pretty easy to make – and one batch goes a long way! My mom used to make it years ago, and I almost forgot about it until I had some at a baby shower recently.

Its not really ‘picky husband’ food. Or little kid food.

Its more like girlfriend, or relief society gathering food. Or bridal/baby shower food.

My cousin and I sure enjoyed it!

I could literally just eat and eat this… wait, that’s exactly what I did.

At any rate, its worth trying!

The following recipe is somewhat approximate. The amount of almonds, onions, etc… is really up to the individual.

Chinese Chicken Salad

2 chicken breasts
1 head iceberg lettuce
sliced almonds (about 1 cup)
green onions (about 5-6)
sesame seeds (about 2 Tbsp)
Maifun rice sticks
oil for frying
.
4 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
8 Tbsp. sugar
1 T. sesame oil
Salt/pepper to taste

Cook Chicken breasts (bake or boil). Cool, and shred – removing any bones in the process. Set Aside.

Heat oil to 400 degrees. Should be at least a couple of inches deep.

Wash lettuce and cut into thick strips, or just break apart with hands.

Slice green onions

Toast Sesame seeds in a frying pan for a couple of minutes until lightly browned or until they start to pop.

Toast Almonds on a try in a 350 degree oven, until browned. It should only take a couple of minutes. Stir at least once in the process.

Crush Maifun noodles in the package and drop in small amounts into the hot oil. Noodles should immediately expand. Remove them with a fork and drain on a paper towel.
Note: If the oil isn’t hot enough, the noodles won’t expand. It really does need to be at 400 degrees.

…
Prepare the Dressing:

Combine apple cider vinegar, sugar, sesame oil in a bowl, bottle, or jar. Stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste.

…
Building the salad:

Lettuce first, then chicken. Followed by Maifun noodles, toasted almonds, and green onions.

Pour on dressing and top with toasted sesame seeds.

Note: This salad will easily feed a dozen people.

Also note: The image above lacks green onions. I forgot to add them before I took the picture.