So, it's a new year, I am without a job, and I'm trying desperately to find something good to talk about. I haven't been cooking anything too spectacular, mostly bean stews and pasta. It's that time of year where all I want to do is braise things, make soup, and try to stay warm. In fact, I think once I'm finished here, I'll get back under the blankets and cover myself in dogs. We have four now. I know that sounds like too many, but they're pretty small. They bring a lot of joy to us. And so do the cats, I don't want to leave them out, but they're just not as snuggly.
My wife, Lisa, has a pet sitting/dog walking business, and for the holidays, I thought it would be nice to make some gifts she could give her clients. For the humans, I made some really rocking granola. It started as "hmm, what do I have in the house so I don't have to buy a whole bunch of stuff", then grew, as I realized a) how many clients she has (yay!) and b) how stinking good the granola was. Most people like granola, but don't take the time to make their own, thinking it will be difficult or time consuming. So they pay high prices for store bought stuff. Let me tell you, it's not hard to do, and home made always tastes a little better. Being the milk of human kindness that I am, I am going to share my recipe here. Ready?
My oven only holds two half sheet pans, so this is what I wrote the recipe for.
1/2 large canister rolled oats (you can use quick or original, but not instant)
2 cups sliced almonds (I use the unbalanced ones, I like the color on the skins)
1 cup unsalted sunflower seeds (shelled, please)
1/4 cup flax seeds
1 cup coconut oil
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup honey (organic, if you can)
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 tsp. almond extract
dried cranberries, or other dried fruit of choice
Preheat the oven to 325. Line 2 cookie pans or half pans with parchment and spray very lightly with nonstick spray.
Combine all dry ingredients (EXCEPT CRANBERRIES) in a large mixing bowl, and toss to mix.
Combine oil, sugar, honey and extracts in a small sauce pan, and heat over medium until melted together, stirring with a whisk.
Spray a rubber spatula with nonstick spray and use to scrape all of the sugar/oil mixture into the dry mix. Coat and combine thoroughly with the spatula. Divide the mix between the two pans and press down to form an even layer of granola.
Bake for 24 minutes, spinning the pans halfway through the cooking process.
Allow to cool on pans, then break apart into a large bowl and add cranberries. Store in an airtight container.
I also made dog biscuits. Peanut butter and pumpkin biscuits. They were pretty easy, too.
5 cups whole wheat flour
4 eggs
1 can organic pumpkin
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 tsp. cinnamon
In a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, combine all ingredients. Turn out onto a board or table and roll to about 1/2" thickness. Cut out shapes using a cookie cutter. Bake in a preheated, 350 oven for about 40 minutes, until hard. Cool thoroughly before storing,
Everyone love the gifts. We bagged them up and made cute little ingredient labels. The best part, though, was all of the calls asking if the granola was for the dogs or the people. Sigh..
So that's pretty much what I've been up to. Try these recipes. Even if you don't have a dog, make some for someone who does and give them a gift. Or donate them to a rescue. You'll be a hero, at least in my eyes.
Send me good vibes in my job search, people. Please. And I'll keep looking for things to talk about. All my best wishes for a great start to a great year.
Peace.
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