Granola X 8

Master Recipe (makes 1 quart)


2 C. old-fashioned oats
1/2 C. wheat germ
2 T. dark brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 C. extra ingredients & flavoring (see below)
1/4 C. maple syrup
3 T. flavorless oil
1 T. water

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat to 275.  Spray 9 x 13 metal pan & set aside.
1. Mix oats, wheat germ, brown sugar, salt and extra ingredients (except for dried fruit) in a bowl.
2. Bring syrup, oil, water and any flavoring below to a simmer in a saucepan over low heat.  Drizzle over oat mixture and stir to combine.
3.  Pour mixture onto prepared pan.
4.  Working a handful at a time, squeeze cereal to form small clumps.  (If you add a smidge of water, the cereal will clump better.)
5.  Bake for 30 minutes.
6. Stir in dried fruit, and continue to bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes longer.
Let cool and store in airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Extra Ingredients & Flavorings

1.  Classic Granola
Extra ingredients:  1/3 C. chopped walnuts, 1/3 C. sweetened flake coconut, 1/3 C. dark or golden raisins.
Flavoring:  1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

2.  Crunchy Granola
You can replace the 1/4 C. of maple syrup with 2 T. each of maple syrup and molasses.
Extra ingredients:  1/4 C. slivered almonds, 1/4 C. sunflower seeds, 2 T. sesame seeds, 6 T. currants
Flavoring:  None

3. Tropical Granola
Add the coconut along with the cashews and banana chips
Extra ingredients:  1/4 C. chopped, roasted, unsalted cashews, 1/4 C. chopped banana chips, 1/4 C. sweetened flake coconut, 1/4 C. chopped dried pineapple
Flavoring:  1/2 ts. ground ginger

4. Granola with Cherries and Almonds
Extra ingredients:  1/3 C. sliced almonds, 1/3 C. sweetened flake coconut, 1/3 C. dried cherries
Flavoring:  3/4 tsp. almond extract

5.  Trail Mix Granola
Extra ingredients:  1/4 C. chopped roasted unsalted peanuts, 1/4 C. sweetened flake coconut, 1/4 C. dark or golden raisins, 1/4 C. mini chocolate chips*
Flavoring:  none
*stir chips into the granola only after it has completely cooled.


6. Orange Berry Granola with Pecans
Extra ingredients: 1/2 C. chopped pecans, 1/4 C. dried cranberries, 1/4 C. dried blueberries
Flavoring:  1/2 tsp. finely grated orange zest

7.  Pear Granola with Hazelnuts and Vanilla
Extra Ingredients:  1/2 C. chopped hazelnuts, 1/4 C. chopped dried cherries, 1/4 C. chopped dried pears
Flavoring:  1 tsp. vanilla extract

8.  Orange Granola with Pistachios, Mangos and Dates
Extra Ingredients:  1/2 C. chopped roasted pistachios, 1/4 C. chopped dates, 1/4 C. chopped, dried mangos
Flavoring:  1/2 tsp. finely grated orange zest and 1/4 tsp. allspice

Easy Caramel Rolls

18 frozen dinner rolls (I buy Rhodes brand, 36 count)
1/2 C. margarine (1 stick ), melted
3/4 C. brown sugar
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 (3 oz.) pkg. butterscotch pudding (cook & serve, NOT instant)
chopped nuts, optional
Prepare the night before you want to bake:

1. Sprinkle chopped nuts on the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan
*2. Dip each roll in melted butter, then roll in sugar
3. Place rolls evenly spaced in the pan
4. Sprinkle butterscotch pudding powder over the top
5. Mix remaining butter and sugar together, and pour over the top
6. Let rise on the counter overnight
*you can skip step 2 when time is short, but the caramel seems to coat each roll better this way.

In the morning, bake at 350 for approx. 25 minutes.
Let cool for 5-10 minutes, and then tip out into another pan or onto a platter (If you wait too long everything sticks to the bottom of the pan.)

Tequilaberry's Salad

Tequilaberry’s Salad


1 head lettuce
1 head cauliflower
1 lb. bacon
Dressing:
1 C. real mayonnaise
1/4 C. sugar (or slightly less)
3/4 C. shredded Parmesan cheese (not from a can)

Chop the lettuce and cauliflower into small pieces. Cook the bacon until it’s crisp. Drain on paper towels, crumble and add to lettuce and cauliflower. Combine dressing ingredients and toss with salad. (I keep the dressing separate and let individuals add to their own salad.)