Homemade Granola

So although my blogging would suggest otherwise, I have actually been on a cooking spree lately! This was my first thanksgiving as a Vegan so I prepared lots of dishes so that I would have something besides canned corn to eat on Thanksgiving day! Problem is, I've been in such a hurry I have not taken many pictures!  I decided, however, that homemade granola is a great recipe to share becasue not only is it a delicious addition to breakfasts etc. But it also makes a great and inexpensive Christmas gift! If you put it in a mason jar or in gift bags with ribbon, it makes a great gift to give to anyone! I've even made this for Ben to take to his office, and my own, as Christmas gifts, and it has been a hit! I hope you enjoy it!!

One great thing about this recipe, is you can use any combination of nuts/dried fruit as long as you have the proportions right....

 In a large bowl, add 4c Old-fashioned Oats to 4cups nuts--I used 2c pecans, 1.5c slivered almonds, 1/4 chia seeds and 1/4 flax seeds......but you can just use 4cups of any of your favorite nuts you choose!

 Now flax seeds.....

 1c currants

 3c dried cranberries....(remember any combination of dried fruit you like, as long as it equals 4cups)

 1tbs Cinnamon

 Now, in a measuring cup, add 3/4vegetable oil and 3/4 honey and mix together, then pour into your oats/nuts/fruit mixture and stir together.....

 On two cookie sheets, lay out your granola in an even coating...put in a 350degree oven and turn every 5 minutes for approx 30 minutes......

 until your granola reaches a golden brown but BE CAREFUL not to let it burn, checking on it often is the easiest bet!

 Now, add to your favorite yogurt for breakfast......

 Or, put it in a pretty jar with a bow and give it to someone you like for Christmas, they will thank you for it!

Granola (as adapted from Barefoot Contessa Recipe)

4c nuts (raw, the baking kind, nothing already roasted or they will burn before the rest is finished)

4c dried fruit

4c OLD FASHIONED oats--not quick cooking oats

1tbs cinnamon

3/4 vegetable oil

3/4 honey

Mix all dry ingredients together, then mix in the combined vegetable oil and honey mixture. Spread out onto a GREASED cookie sheet into an even layer (will make two cookie sheets full).  Put into a 350 degree oven, turning the granola every five minutes until golden brown. Let cool completely then serve!

Kindof like French Onion Soup

FIRST THINGS FIRST.......BEN PASSED THE BAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for ALL of the love, support, and prayers you have give us over the past 3.5 years! We are so very blessed!

Now onto the food.....
One thing I've really missed once being vegan is French Onion Soup, onions might actually be my favorite vegetable, and I add them to EVERYTHING! I decided to try and figure out a way to make it without the beef broth and cheese! It turned out DELICIOUS and it couldn't have been simpler! It's a great main course or side dish for all of the holiday meals approaching, I hope you enjoy!!

 Slice three large onions and add to 4TBS of olive oil in a pan on medium heat....

 Now add your spices: 1/2tbs dried thyme, 1tsp ground time, 1tsp red pepper flakes, 1tbs salt, 1/2tbs pepper.....

Stir together and put a lid on the onions and let cook for 35 minutes on a medium low heat, its important that you cook the onions but do not brown the onions.....

Once your onions look about like this.....

Deglaze the bottom of the pan with 3/4c red wine, I used pinot noir....

And as always, only use a wine that you would drink from a glass, not the "cooking wine"

You can also skip this step if you prefer not cooking with alcohol.

Next, add 6c vegetable broth, and three bay leaves. I also added 1/4c of minced dried onion b/c I had it on hand...if you don't no worries, omit it! Cover the mixture again and let simmer on a medium low heat for 30 minutes.

While the soup is simmer, you can make croutons....sliced french bread or baguette, drizzle with olive oil, garlic salt, and fresh thyme and bake in the oven 350 until browned!

Enjoy!!

French Onion Soup
4tbs olive oil
3 large onions sliced
1/2tbs dried thyme (or double up on the Thyme if you only have one or the other)
1tsp ground thyme
1tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1tbs salt
1/2tbs pepper
3/4c red wine (merlot, cabernet, pinot noir)
6c Vegetable broth
3bay leaves
1/4c dried minced onion

Crouton
baguette sliced
drizzled with olive oil
sprinkled with garlic salt, pepper and thyme..... Oven 350 for approx 10 minutes.

Start by preheating your olive oil on medium high in a soup pan....Add your sliced onions, thyme, crushed red pepper, salt and pepper. Cover with a lid checking every five mintutes or so for 35 minutes, making sure not to brown the onions.  Turn up heat of burner to high heat and deglaze the pan with wine. Let simmer for approx 5 minutes. Add vegetable broth, bay leaves, and minced onion. Turn the burner on medium low and let cook for another 30 minutes. Top with croutons and enjoy!