Mar222009
Spring Celebration
Filed under Breakfast by Anna at 6:58 PM on Mar 22 2009
Finally we made it to spring.(Yuruuulll). What a long winter we had this year. Today, the first day of spring, I still had to go out with a freaking coat. I’m counting the minutes to be able to use an open sandal, go out and feel comfortable. I’m not really a winter person; the only thing I love about winter is the delicious soup you can make. I cooked all sorts of soups you can probably think of, I didn’t post all of them though, that’s because they didn’t pass my very demanding and (I would dare to say) ‘perfectionist’ opinion. So Sometimes the soup was really delicious but didn’t look good enough so it didn’t make it into my site. But we (my huby & I) enjoyed it a lot regardless. Now, I’m totally ready to have a go at the nice salad recipes I’ve been collection and been dying to try for so long. This morning though, first day of spring, I decided to start my ‘spring celebrations’ with a homemade granola, Greek yogurt, and fresh fruits. What a difference it makes to actually make the granola. It turned out so yummy… crunchy and full of flavor. I loved this recipe because there’s no sugar in it. In this picture you can hardly see the granola because my better half plated everything and he got over excited with the toppings. So, you’ll have to take my word on it and try it for yourselves. You’ll love it! I promise.
Homemade Granola
- 4 oz butter
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup honey
- 1lb oats (“Quaker” not instant)
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
- 1cup-halved walnuts
- 1cup coconut flakes
- ¾ cup pumpkin seeds
Prepare:
Pre-heat oven 320 F in a small pot melt butter, honey, vanilla, cook over low heat, while stirring (approximately 5 min) Once the mixture is well combined, add to a large mixing bowl with all the other ingredients and mix well until the oats and seeds are completely covered. Transfer mixture to a big flat baking trays; make sure its evenly spread, bake for 25 min or until golden. Stir the mixture once in the oven to prevent the edges from burning. Once ready, leave outside to cool. Transfer to a tightly sealed container it last up to 2 weeks.
1 Jen Schallon 23 Mar 2009 at 7:51 AM
Looks delicious! Preparing your own granola is a fantastic way to control what you are eating but still have tasty food. I believe this recipe may have made my Friday Favorites list!
2 Annaon 23 Mar 2009 at 9:15 AM
Hi Jen, Thank you so much, It’s really cool your idea of friday favorites, I also think we should spread the love
3 Lorion 24 Mar 2009 at 10:33 AM
That granola sounds so wonderful, especially with fruit and yogurt. I pulled out some of my “perfect weather” recipes this weekend. Even though I’m in the Southern hemisphere the weather has cooled down enough where it feels like late spring and I feel like cooking light and fresh foods again.
4 Sapucheon 24 Mar 2009 at 1:03 PM
Your homemade granola photo looks outrageously delicious, and I don’t blame your “better half” for going overboard with the toppings! I think it’s great to start the day off with only natural sugars, and the walnuts, coconut flakes, sunflower and pumpkin seeds sound amazing. By the way, I used to hate winter, but after almost 10 years of living in places that have no winter to speak of, I miss it – the shivering cold, the extra layers of clothing, the gray skies, even the runny noses! Still, it must feel great to be bathed by the warming sun after many cold months. Thanks for posting this recipe!
5 Annaon 24 Mar 2009 at 3:18 PM
Hi Sapuche, If you miss winter so much we could totally exchange, you would come here to freeze your tush, and I would go there bake mine under the Hawaiian sun. Just say the words
6 Annaon 24 Mar 2009 at 3:21 PM
Hi Lori, At least you are lucky to be in south, because north of Brazil you would be melting all year around.
I’m looking forward to the “perfect weather” recipes
7 Sarahon 26 Mar 2009 at 5:33 PM
Hey – love the site. Read some of the past entries. The granola looks yummy and simple too!
8 Annaon 27 Mar 2009 at 8:23 AM
Thank you Sarah, It’s nice that you are trying some gluten free cookies, I’m a terrible baker, and all my attempts failed miserably. They always come out looking flat as a piece of paper. Gluten Free or not.
9 Sapucheon 28 Mar 2009 at 12:09 AM
Haha! I’m almost willing to make the exchange…almost…but on second thought balmy winters aren’t so bad…
10 Annaon 28 Mar 2009 at 12:58 AM
Ha! I knew it…. Who wants to enjoy a 28F “spring” breeze?