Someone asked for the granola recipe. I guess that would be helpful if you wanted to make them yourselves.
Granola Bars
2 1/2 cups oats
1/2 cup wheat germ (or other grain/flour)
2 cups filler, this can be a mix of nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips, be creative!
On a cookie sheet spread out the oats, wheat germ or other grain, and nuts. Place in oven under boiler and lightly toast. Keep a close eye because it can burn quickly. Combine with other filler in a large bowl. Note: if you use chocolate chips or the sort, they'll probably start to melt a bit, that's okay.
In a small saucepan combine 2/3 cup brown sugar, 2 Tbsp butter and 1/2 cup honey. Keep on medium heat until it comes to a full boil. Let it boil 45-60 seconds until it just starts to thicken. Pour over grain/fruit/oat mix and stir until all is coated.
Line a 9x13 pan with wax paper and then spray the paper with nonstick spray. Pour the mixture onto wax paper. Spread the mixture to the edges and then use a cup of sorts to press the mixture down, making it more dense. Let it cool. Cut the bars into desired sizes and individually wrap in plastic wrap. Enjoy!
February 28, 2010
Being called granola ain't so bad
I can't really remember why people are called granola.. plain, dull, hippy? It's kind of irrelevant now.
My friend Sarah (holler) taught me how to make my own granola bars. You can add WHATEVER you want.. well to a certain extent. When we first made them I added cashews, oats, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, peanut butter chips and chocolate chips. Today I decided to step outside the granola bar box.
Enter Granola Bars:
These tasty treats have strawberried cranberries (nothing like the strawberried peanut butter m&ms, which is a whole 'notha story), white chocolate chips, toasted peanuts, coconut and the oats, wheat germ and flaxseed powder to even it out. Ah-mazing. And they're so cheap to make, but you HAVE to visit the bulk foods at Winco for the full experience. Just spread them out on a pan, let them cool and then you get to wrap them individually in plastic wrap and they're an instant quick grab and go treat!
stay tuned as we visit the 1st time try vegetable lasagna and the best banana bread ever!
My friend Sarah (holler) taught me how to make my own granola bars. You can add WHATEVER you want.. well to a certain extent. When we first made them I added cashews, oats, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, peanut butter chips and chocolate chips. Today I decided to step outside the granola bar box.
Enter Granola Bars:
These tasty treats have strawberried cranberries (nothing like the strawberried peanut butter m&ms, which is a whole 'notha story), white chocolate chips, toasted peanuts, coconut and the oats, wheat germ and flaxseed powder to even it out. Ah-mazing. And they're so cheap to make, but you HAVE to visit the bulk foods at Winco for the full experience. Just spread them out on a pan, let them cool and then you get to wrap them individually in plastic wrap and they're an instant quick grab and go treat!
stay tuned as we visit the 1st time try vegetable lasagna and the best banana bread ever!
Perfection in a ramekin
That was a direct quote from my roommate.
So my amazing roommate had a not so amazing blind date today. When we were discussing the events prior to the date I told her that I would try my hand at molten lava cakes to comfort her upon her return from said date. The timing really didn't line up (date in the late morning, cake at 10pm) but I don't think there were any complaints.
It takes a lot to make me sweetened out and this just about did it. But it was oh so good. Too bad the recipe makes 5 and there are only two of us.. whatever will we do with the leftovers. Next time it's raspberry topping and maybe a little whipped cream.
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
2 tbsp whipping cream
1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
3/4 cup butter
3 eggs
3 egg yolks
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1. For the filling, in a small heavy saucepan combine the 3/4 cup chocolate pieces and whipping cream. Cook and stir over low heat until chocolate melts. Remove pan from heat. Cool, stirring occasionally. Cover and chill about 45 minutes or until firm.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium heavy saucepan cook and stir the 1 cup chocolate pieces and the butter over low heat until melted. Remove from heat; cool.
3. Preheat oven to 400 F. Form chilled chocolate filling into six balls of equal size. Set aside. Lightly grease and flour six 6-ounce souffle or custard dishes. Place dishes in a 15x10x1-inch baking pan; set aside.
In a mixing bowl beat eggs, egg yolks, granulated sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer on high speed about 5 minutes or until lemon colored. Beat in cooled chocolate-butter mixture on medium speed. Sift flour and cocoa powder over mixture; beat on low speed just until combined. Spoon 1/3 cup batter into each dish; add one ball of filling to each dish. Spoon remaining batter into dishes.
4. Bake about 13 minutes or until cake edges feel firm. Cool in dishes 2 to 3 minutes. using a knife, loosen cakes from sides of dishes. Invert onto dessert plates. To make it pretty you can sift powdered sugar on top or whipped cream or a berry sauce. or all of the above :)
So my amazing roommate had a not so amazing blind date today. When we were discussing the events prior to the date I told her that I would try my hand at molten lava cakes to comfort her upon her return from said date. The timing really didn't line up (date in the late morning, cake at 10pm) but I don't think there were any complaints.
It takes a lot to make me sweetened out and this just about did it. But it was oh so good. Too bad the recipe makes 5 and there are only two of us.. whatever will we do with the leftovers. Next time it's raspberry topping and maybe a little whipped cream.
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
2 tbsp whipping cream
1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
3/4 cup butter
3 eggs
3 egg yolks
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1. For the filling, in a small heavy saucepan combine the 3/4 cup chocolate pieces and whipping cream. Cook and stir over low heat until chocolate melts. Remove pan from heat. Cool, stirring occasionally. Cover and chill about 45 minutes or until firm.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium heavy saucepan cook and stir the 1 cup chocolate pieces and the butter over low heat until melted. Remove from heat; cool.
3. Preheat oven to 400 F. Form chilled chocolate filling into six balls of equal size. Set aside. Lightly grease and flour six 6-ounce souffle or custard dishes. Place dishes in a 15x10x1-inch baking pan; set aside.
In a mixing bowl beat eggs, egg yolks, granulated sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer on high speed about 5 minutes or until lemon colored. Beat in cooled chocolate-butter mixture on medium speed. Sift flour and cocoa powder over mixture; beat on low speed just until combined. Spoon 1/3 cup batter into each dish; add one ball of filling to each dish. Spoon remaining batter into dishes.
4. Bake about 13 minutes or until cake edges feel firm. Cool in dishes 2 to 3 minutes. using a knife, loosen cakes from sides of dishes. Invert onto dessert plates. To make it pretty you can sift powdered sugar on top or whipped cream or a berry sauce. or all of the above :)
February 21, 2010
Proof of our cooking adventures
I thought that I didn't like pesto, boy was I wrong. I may or may not be eating it right now. And it's so easy and yummy!
All you need are 5 ingredients, a blender or food processor, and maybe some bread.
2 cups fresh basil
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup pine nuts (toasted) (or walnuts, not toasted)
1/2-2/3 cup Parmesan cheese (grated or shredded)
2-4 cloves garlic
You want to wash the basil and then pinch them off at the leaf (you don't want a lot of stem, otherwise it can be bitter). Add the nuts, cheese and garlic and about 1/2 of the olive oil. "Pulse" the mixture and then add more olive oil until everything starts mixing together. You can add more of any of the ingredients to your own preference. I've been known to be a bit of a garlic whore. I love my garlic! You can serve with toasted baguette or just eat it by the spoonful!
I decided to add it to a pasta salad. I mixed the pesto with penne noodles, grape tomatoes, olives, bacon, and a little lemon zest. Again, it was basically amazing. Oh and I garnished it with some leftover pine nuts.
I was going to do the same thing with the granola bars, but I got tired. Maybe next time you'll have a step by step dissection of the cooking goodness. Enjoy!
All you need are 5 ingredients, a blender or food processor, and maybe some bread.
2 cups fresh basil
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup pine nuts (toasted) (or walnuts, not toasted)
1/2-2/3 cup Parmesan cheese (grated or shredded)
2-4 cloves garlic
You want to wash the basil and then pinch them off at the leaf (you don't want a lot of stem, otherwise it can be bitter). Add the nuts, cheese and garlic and about 1/2 of the olive oil. "Pulse" the mixture and then add more olive oil until everything starts mixing together. You can add more of any of the ingredients to your own preference. I've been known to be a bit of a garlic whore. I love my garlic! You can serve with toasted baguette or just eat it by the spoonful!
I decided to add it to a pasta salad. I mixed the pesto with penne noodles, grape tomatoes, olives, bacon, and a little lemon zest. Again, it was basically amazing. Oh and I garnished it with some leftover pine nuts.
I was going to do the same thing with the granola bars, but I got tired. Maybe next time you'll have a step by step dissection of the cooking goodness. Enjoy!
A fun 30 hours
Friday night I met up with my friend Jennifer to see a movie. We were going to see Valentines Day, but both got there after the movie started. We decided to switch them out for When in Rome. It was a really funny movie. I needed a good laugh and Josh Duhamel is really nice to look at. The guy sitting next to me thoroughly enjoyed it. I think he laughed more than anyone else and I'm also thinking that he was the one who suggested the movie for him and his wife to see. Anyway, really good movie.
We then ventured over to Z'Tejas for some dinner. Honestly I've gone there 4 or 5 times and have liked everything I have ordered. I got the chile rellanoes this time. I was really concerned because there was apricots and raisins in it. I hardly noticed them, but when I did it was actually a pleasant surprise. I think I went home and finished reading Enders Game (really good) before falling in to a blissful sleep.
Saturday I woke up earlier than I wanted to to go to the temple with my friend Sarah. We were going to go to the Monticello temple. Seeing how it is a 10 hour round trip we decided to put that off for a two-day trip. We substituted the Bountiful temple in it's place, but on our way there we were informed that it was closed.. so we then turned around and ended up at the Salt Lake Temple. and it was basically amazing. They have redone some of the interior and it is just that much more gorgeous. It was a packed session, hauling chairs throughout. We ran home, changed and then headed to the Blue Plate in sugarhouse for some breakfast/lunch. Sarah said that Guy Fiari (or whatever) from Food network's diner drives and dine ins went there for an episode so she wanted to try it out. We were both highly disappointed. I guess we'll need to find out what he had that made it so great, cause it wasn't anything we got. We then headed on to our next adventure, WINCO.
Last week during our Relief Society weekday meeting Sarah did a lesson on the word of wisdom and brought some great treats that I then wanted to try (fresh pesto and granola bars, not together). She also introduced me to their bulk foods section. It was Ah-mazing. and cheap too. Like seriously cheap. All the different kinds of flours, sugars, pasta, wheat, rice, dried fruit etc.
The best part is that we then came home and COOKED. and I mean cooked. I learned how to make the fresh pesto, made a pasta salad with it, then Sarah took a turn making eclairs (just the dough part, got too late to finish it), and I made my own granola bars. Amera came over and joined us and we just sat around and cooked for a good 5 hours. It was a great 30 hours.
We then ventured over to Z'Tejas for some dinner. Honestly I've gone there 4 or 5 times and have liked everything I have ordered. I got the chile rellanoes this time. I was really concerned because there was apricots and raisins in it. I hardly noticed them, but when I did it was actually a pleasant surprise. I think I went home and finished reading Enders Game (really good) before falling in to a blissful sleep.
Saturday I woke up earlier than I wanted to to go to the temple with my friend Sarah. We were going to go to the Monticello temple. Seeing how it is a 10 hour round trip we decided to put that off for a two-day trip. We substituted the Bountiful temple in it's place, but on our way there we were informed that it was closed.. so we then turned around and ended up at the Salt Lake Temple. and it was basically amazing. They have redone some of the interior and it is just that much more gorgeous. It was a packed session, hauling chairs throughout. We ran home, changed and then headed to the Blue Plate in sugarhouse for some breakfast/lunch. Sarah said that Guy Fiari (or whatever) from Food network's diner drives and dine ins went there for an episode so she wanted to try it out. We were both highly disappointed. I guess we'll need to find out what he had that made it so great, cause it wasn't anything we got. We then headed on to our next adventure, WINCO.
Last week during our Relief Society weekday meeting Sarah did a lesson on the word of wisdom and brought some great treats that I then wanted to try (fresh pesto and granola bars, not together). She also introduced me to their bulk foods section. It was Ah-mazing. and cheap too. Like seriously cheap. All the different kinds of flours, sugars, pasta, wheat, rice, dried fruit etc.
The best part is that we then came home and COOKED. and I mean cooked. I learned how to make the fresh pesto, made a pasta salad with it, then Sarah took a turn making eclairs (just the dough part, got too late to finish it), and I made my own granola bars. Amera came over and joined us and we just sat around and cooked for a good 5 hours. It was a great 30 hours.
Retro Valentines Day
I know it's a little late.. but this has still kind of been on my mind. I'm in charge of planning the activities for the congregation at my church. This valentines day I decided to take the celebration back to elementary school. A- there were some great room decorations. Instead of shoeboxes we just went for the brown paper bags.
(more people showed up later..)
After decorating the bags we had BOXES of valentines for people to choose from. And then they could be brave and put them in the bags of everyone there or put it in the amazing box that I decorated (because I wanted to decorate a box) and then they would be anonymously delivered.
Yes, that would be the amazing box!
We also had sugar cookies to decorate and played a few games. It turned out to be a good night. Not too stressful, and still had an enjoyable night.
Which all brings me back to my original thought.. remember back in the day when you sit with all of your valentines and the class list and designate certain valentines to certain people. Like the really I love you cheesy ones you made darn sure nose picker Ned didn't get it. And you really wanted to give it to Babealicious Brad, but you didn't know if he felt the same way and you didn't want things to get awkward. now I know this wasn't me because a group of us girls had the same discussion that night as we were picking out the "right" valentines to give to the guys in the ward. Trust, you need to be very cautious with ANY outside form of affection because you just don't know how any of them will take it. But it's totally vice versa. I remember totally reading into the ones that I got in elementary school and trying to find any clues that may be hidden in a pre-typed mass produced card. I guess we don't grow out of everything.
(more people showed up later..)After decorating the bags we had BOXES of valentines for people to choose from. And then they could be brave and put them in the bags of everyone there or put it in the amazing box that I decorated (because I wanted to decorate a box) and then they would be anonymously delivered.
Yes, that would be the amazing box!
We also had sugar cookies to decorate and played a few games. It turned out to be a good night. Not too stressful, and still had an enjoyable night.
Which all brings me back to my original thought.. remember back in the day when you sit with all of your valentines and the class list and designate certain valentines to certain people. Like the really I love you cheesy ones you made darn sure nose picker Ned didn't get it. And you really wanted to give it to Babealicious Brad, but you didn't know if he felt the same way and you didn't want things to get awkward. now I know this wasn't me because a group of us girls had the same discussion that night as we were picking out the "right" valentines to give to the guys in the ward. Trust, you need to be very cautious with ANY outside form of affection because you just don't know how any of them will take it. But it's totally vice versa. I remember totally reading into the ones that I got in elementary school and trying to find any clues that may be hidden in a pre-typed mass produced card. I guess we don't grow out of everything.
February 18, 2010
One small step
I did some SERIOUS grocery shopping last night and came home without purchasing a single item of junk food. Too bad I'm eating white chocolate chips while I type this. I even planned out a few new recipes to try. Tonight I tried the coconut curry beef stew with winter vegetables. I think I'll make a fancy bowl of it and take a picture. Next will either be spinach gnocchi, butternut squash or vegetable lasagna. Suggestions?
The Big Stink
I tend to write novels with every little detail, but I'm thinking don't want the details to this one. We we down in our new conference room at work when the sink backed up and water starting pouring onto the counter and carpet. This water ended up being sewage. Yup. that kind. Let's just say after I got home from work I took a really REALLY long shower and bleached my clothes. In fact I just threw out my shoes.. and bought a new pair to replace them (oh darn). Hoping never to have to do that again.
February 3, 2010
I may be going a little crazy
I've come to the conclusion that I shouldn't watch intense TV shows on DVD format (I tend to watch many episodes consecutively). I recently rewatched the first 3 seasons of Alias. For a few days I was walking around my work area wonder which of my colleagues were double agents. Actually, if you know the inside story there could actually be double agents.. but not for the KGB :)
Another example of my craziness, I'm currently watching band of brothers (Love band of brothers). I was sitting here at my desk (at home) minding my own business and I heard a helicopter overhead. Me, being the crazy person that I am, instantly thought "I've gotta find cover!" What should I watch next? haha
I'm in search of a treadmill. any leads?
Another example of my craziness, I'm currently watching band of brothers (Love band of brothers). I was sitting here at my desk (at home) minding my own business and I heard a helicopter overhead. Me, being the crazy person that I am, instantly thought "I've gotta find cover!" What should I watch next? haha
I'm in search of a treadmill. any leads?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)