Granola

From time to time I like to make homemade granola. I don't know why I don't do it more often — it's really easy. I don't follow a recipe, so bear with me. This, like many things I make, is a very flexible recipe. All measurements are approximate.

In a large bowl, combine:

• 6 c. organic oats (not quick or thick cut, just the regular ones)
  
• 1 T. cinnamon
  
• 1 t. cloves
  
• 1/4 c. ground flax seed 
  

It should look like this:

• Add in some nuts and/or seeds (I like raw sunflower seeds and raw, whole almonds) and stir to combine
  
• Stir in 1-1.5 c. warmed honey or maple syrup (warming it makes it easier to pour and mix)
  

Spread the entire thing on a large cookie sheet, like this:

• Bake at 375, stirring every 15 minutes or so, for 45 minutes (or until it's the right shade of golden for you).
• Let cool completely. Transfer back to bowl and add in any dried fruit you want (I like dried organic cranberries).
  

Voila!



Serve with milk, yogurt, ice cream, or just munch by the handful! Store in the freezer for extra crunchiness.

Soup’s On

I love to cook. I especially love to cook for a crowd — brunch, dinner, bake sales — I’m not picky. And I love to cook with people. My fantasy is to one day have a big, wonderful-to-cook-in kitchen filled with friends cooking and laughing and eating (sort of like The Big Chill, without the suicide first).

Much as I love all of that, though, the reality of being a self-employed mom of many hobbies is that I don’t always have the time or energy to cook. Thus, I (like most of my kind) have favorite go-to recipes, sometimes considered “cheats” because they are thrown together with ingredients that are often ready-made themselves. Sort of like a recipe hack. 

This is my favorite cheat of late. Minimal prep work for maximum impact. This delicious soup is made by combining a couple different frozen seafood packages from Trader Joe’s with some canned, diced, organic tomatoes, and hot pepper flakes. That’s it! But it tastes so good when you want a hearty dish with a little kick. Paired with some homemade bread (5 minutes, people!) and a glass of wine and you’re set. 

I’ve served this many times and it’s always well received. Try it! Tell me what you think.

• 1 package Trader Joe’s frozen Cioppino Seafood Stew
  
• 1 package Trader Joe’s frozen Seafood Blend
  
• 3 cans diced tomatoes
  
• red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper 

Heat the cioppino sauce in a pan until it begins to simmer. Add the tomatoes and heat to a low boil. Add in all the seafood and cook through (about 12 minutes). Add pepper as desired.

Bon appetit.