A Healthy Recipe for Homemade Granola

My husband has always been my best food customer when it comes to leftovers from a blog post, which I have certainly appreciated considering how much food it takes to create one food blog post there would be so much food wasted if it wasn't for him.  Recently my husband has been on a granola kick courtesy of this recent recipe.  I love that he is into having granola in mornings now, but of course his recent interest in granola has sparked an interest for me as well in learning how to create a healthy and affordable version. 

After a bit of recipe testing I have landed on what I believe to be a really delicious and nutritious homemade granola that honestly couldn't be easier to make!  This is a dump, mix, bake recipe (my personal favorite!) and I promise you wont be disappointed with the results.  Here is how to make this healthy and oh so delicious breakfast cereal:

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups Rolled Oats
• 1/2c Coconut Oil (melted)
• 1/3c Agave 
• 2 Tbs Light Muscavado Sugar
• 1/2c Raw Sliced Almonds
• 1/2c Dried Cherries
• 1/2c Raw Sunflower Seeds
• 2 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste
• 3 Tbs Flax Seeds (toasted or raw)
• 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1 tsp Kosher Salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees fahrenheit and place rack on the bottom third level of the oven
2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl using clean hands (my preference) or a spatula to mix ingredients until combined.  
3. Spread contents onto rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper
4. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes
5. Remove from oven and stir granola around
6. Place back into the oven for an additional 10-15minutes until just golden brown
7. Remove from oven and allow to cool. *Note- Granola will still appear damp when first out of the oven.  As it cools it will harden.  
8. Once cool, store granola in an air tight container.  **Granola will keep for 2-3weeks

Breakfast Parfait Bites

As you all may recall from this previous post, I recently had the privilege of being part of a select group to receive a preview of the latest product launch from 34 Degrees - Vanilla and Chocolate Crisps!  Boy did I have fun creating all sorts of delicious dessert bites using both the vanilla and chocolate crisps.  However, after taking time to think about it I realized that the pairing options didn't have to be limited to just dessert.  Why not use these crisps to make a delicious and healthy breakfast treat?!? This recipe for Greek Yogurt Parfait Bites is super easy to make, healthy and delicious.  Definitely a crowd pleaser and an absolute must try.  See below for recipe details. 

Ingredients

• 34 Degrees Vanilla Crisps
• Greek Yogurt (I prefer plain, but vanilla works too)
• Honey Almond Flax Granola (or similar)
• Fresh Blueberries
• Good Quality Honey

Instructions

1. Arrange 34 Degrees Vanilla Crisps on a serving platter
2. Spoon about a tablespoon of greek yogurt onto each crisp
3. Top each dollop of yogurt with about a teaspoon of granola
4. Place 3-4 Fresh Blueberries (Blackberries and Raspberries work well too!)
5. Finish each parfait bite with a light drizzle of gourmet honey
6. Serve and enjoy!

Blackberry and Lemon White Wine Spritzer

According to the weather channel, a good portion of the country is in for a seriously oppressive heat wave this weekend (woof!).  While it would be great to make the most of this super sunshine and hit the beach, I'm stuck in the city this weekend figuring out different ways to keep cool.  While there are certainly plenty of other ways to beat the mega heat this weekend, a cold and refreshing cocktail certainly makes the list!  Specifically, my latest go-to cocktail creation - a blackberry and lemon white wine spritzer!  

Beer is too filling in my opinion and while I am a major red wine enthusiast, this weather is just way too hot for red wine drinking.  Instead, this weekend I am opting for a cool and refreshing white wine spritzer with a fabulous new twist!  Combining two of my favorite things (Napa Cellars Wine and Spindrift Blackberry Seltzer) with a little hint of lemon and a few frozen blackberries has resulted in a drink that is not too sweet and a most delicious flavor profile.  If you are in the market for a new cocktail recipe this weekend, I highly recommend trying this recipe. 

Ingredients

• 1 Bottle Sauvignon Blanc
• 4 Cans Blackberry Spindrift Seltzer
• 12-18 Frozen Blackberries
• 4 Ice Spheres
• 2-3 Lemons

Instructions

1. Place one sphere ice cube into each tumbler or glass
2. Pour 4oz of wine into each glass
3. Fill the remainder of the glass with Spindrift Blackberry Seltzer
4. Squeeze the juice of 1/4 of a lemon into each glass
5. Garnish with 3-4 frozen blackberries and a slice of fresh lemon
6. Serve and enjoy!

Heirloom Panzanella Salad Recipe

Nothing beats the taste of fresh summer produce!  Literally this is probably what I look forward to most with the start of the summer season.  Whether your enjoying the delicious array of berries that are now in season or the abundance of fresh herbs like basil, summer is the best time of year for enjoying all things fresh and colorful. 

In an effort to come up with a recipe that best celebrates the array of delicious summer flavors, I spent some time researching recipes in hopes of finding inspiration.   All I can say is that it was time well spent, because I came across the most fabulous collection of Panzanella Salad recipes and could not have been more excited to create my own.

My Heirloom Panzanella Salad recipe is really a meal in and of itself - carbohydrates, protein, dairy, fresh veggies and healthy fats.  In addition, this recipe is super easy to make (minimal cooking involved) and can keep for up to 3 days in the fridge (making it ideal for meal planning and entertaining).  Here is how I went about creating this most delicious seasonal dish:

Ingredients

• 1 Loaf Fresh Italian Bread (cut into 1" cubes)
• 1 Lg Heirloom Tomato (cut into 1/2" cubes)
• 1 pkg Mini Heirloom Tomatoes (sliced in halves or quarter pieces)
• 1c Fresh Basil (sliced into strips)
• 1/2 Red Onion (sliced into thin strips)
• 5 Mini English Cucumbers (cut into 1/4"semicircles)
• 1 Jar Capers (drained and rinsed)
• 1 8oz Ball Fresh Mozzarella (cut into 1/4" cubes)
• Sweet Mini Peppers (about 1c of sliced pieces)
• 1/2c Olive Oil
• 4 Tbs Red Wine Vinegar
• 2 tsp Dijon Mustard
• 1 Shallot (finely chopped)
• 1/4 tsp Freshly Cracked Pepper
• 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt (+ more for seasoning bread)
• Spray Olive Oil (about 3-4Tbs)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit
2. Place bread cubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
3. Spray tops of bread with olive oil and then sprinkle with kosher salt
4. Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes until golden brown
5. Meanwhile, in a very large bowl (like this one) combine onions, capers, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, basil and mozzarella.  Then set aside
6. In a small bowl (or glass measuring cup, which is my preference), combine 1/2c olive oil, red wine vinegar, mustard, shallot, pepper and 1/2 tsp salt
7. Pour vinaigrette over mozzarella/veggie mixture and toss
8. Add toasted bread cubes (once slightly cooled) to the vinaigrette coated veggies and slowly toss until all ingredients are sufficiently incorporated.
9. Allow the salad to sit for at least an hour before serving so that the flavors have time to blend together.  

*I love serving this salad alongside freshly grilled steaks or packing this salad for a picnic with friends.  

May Favorite Finds

This past monday I celebrated my 31st birthday.  For many reasons (ex. 31 is a non-milestone year and the fact that my birthday fell on a Monday) this year should have been a quieter celebration.  However, to my surprise and delight it was anything but that!  

The morning started off with my favorite tradition of birthday breakfast in bed (see this post), followed by a great day at the office and then coming home to find that my husband had organized a surprise birthday party at our house with all of my friends in on the surprise!  If that wasn't enough my husband even made a recipe from Redefining Domestics for the party! I was completely blown away by the entire evening and touched that everyone would make the effort to come and help me celebrate my not so significant birthday on a school night.  This birthday really couldn't have been any more perfect and I am still smiling as I sit here typing this recap to you all.

Now, onto my recap of this month's favorite finds.  I am absolutely loving this new monthly series because it's providing me with the perfect vehicle for bringing you all my list of latest favorite things.  This month's list is a collection of finds that are great for enjoying during any time of year, but especially during the warmer months.

Spindrift Seltzer

Flavored carbonated water is a hot trend at the moment.  La Croix and Vintage Seltzer have been two personal favorites, until recently when I discovered Spindrift Seltzer.  Why is Spindrift so great?  Well, in addition to have a lovely fizz and great flavor variety, the biggest reason for it's jump to the top of my seltzer list is the fact that it is made with real juice and not synthetic substitutes.  Nothing beats the taste of real fruit flavor in my opinion and for an additional 10-15 calories per can and 0-2grams of sugar, it is totally worth it! My favorite flavors at the moment include: Lemon, Raspberry-Lime and Grapefruit.  I really cannot get enough of these delicious and refreshing flavored seltzers and definitely recommend trying Spindrift ASAP if you haven't already.  Here is a link to Spindrift's Product Locator. 

Mini Citrus Juicer

I have my fair share of citrus juicing tools, however over this past weekend I came across this mini citrus juicer and had to have it!  Why? Not only is it small enough to easily fit in a kitchen drawer, it can juice and/or store both lemons and limes, is dishwasher safe and cost less than $10!  Citrus juicing made even easier and most definitely a new favorite tool in my kitchen.

Microplane Garlic Mincer

We all know my love of kitchen tools and especially my obsession with all things Microplane (see here, here and here).  While perusing my favorite kitchen stores a few weeks ago, I came across the latest in microplane technology...the Microplane Garlic Mincer!  This tool minces garlic with ease, comes in a small compact case for easy storage and is completely dishwasher safe!  Microplane's new garlic mincer is an item that I would highly recommend adding to your kitchen tool collection. 

Martha Stewart's Cowboy Coconut Bar Recipe 

Lately I have been turning to baking as a way to destress.  It's a great way for me to break away from my computer at night, try a new recipe and earn immediate satisfaction with a delicious finished product.  I came across this recipe while perusing the May Issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine and was immediately intrigued.  I've made endless cookie and brownie recipes, but very few cookie bar recipes over the years, so the thought of a chocolate coconut and toasted pecan cookie bar really caught my eye.  Martha Stewart's recipe for Cowboy Coconut Bars is an absolute MUST TRY!

Woodberry Kitchen

I attended a bridal shower in Baltimore this past month to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of a family member from my husband's side.  All of my husband's extended family drove to Baltimore for the shower which took place in the afternoon.  Since it isn't every day that we can get the entire family together, we all planned to go out for an early dinner before everyone headed home.  

I had heard about Woodberry Kitchen from my foodie friend at work, who raved about it and said it was a must try and boy was she right!  This restaurant is absolutely FABULOUS!!  Woodberry Kitchen focuses on supporting the local agriculture of the Chesapeake by creating a menu based on ingredients that are both seasonal and local to the area. In addition to the fabulous food, the ambiance is to die for!  The main dining room has massive vaulted ceilings with a rustic chic decor vibe throughout and the most picturesque outdoor garden area seating where I enjoyed the most delicious whiskey smash cocktail (pictured above).  And how could I forget to talk about dessert!?  I ordered the S'more Kit for one which was served in the most adorable packaging with a roasting skewer so that I could roast the homemade marshmallow (included in the kit) myself in their fire pit located on the back patio of the restaurant.  Talk about an experience!  If ever in Baltimore, a visit to Woodberry Kitchen need to be on your list!