Sunday, August 26, 2012

Squash and Granola





12 August 28 – Sunday
 
Fresh produce from the garden is SO yummy. We were unable to have a garden this year however we are enjoying the fruits of our friends’ labors. They have been sharing zucchini, summer squash, tomatoes and cucumbers.  

A favorite at our house is fried squash. In fact we often have just fried squash in the evening, nothing else. You can use zucchini AND summer squash or just one type, you choose.
 
Fried squash
6-8 small to medium sized squash, peeled and coarsely diced
3 eggs
1 t dill weed
2 t garlic powder
2 T minced onion
1 t celery salt
½ t pepper
½ c parmesan cheese
1 stick butter
1 tube of saltine crackers crushed (I use Zesta) 

While you melt the stick of butter in a nonstick fry pan, whisk all ingredients except the crackers and squash in a large mixing bowl. Put the squash in the whisked mixture, stir well to coat. Then pour over the crushed crackers and stir well again. Pour into the fry pan when the butter is completely melted. Fry at 350, turning when the crackers brown. Takes about 20-30 minutes to cook. We also sprinkle parmesan on at the table. Salt and pepper to taste.



Tasty Granola 

 
 
 
 
I've also been gathering different granola recipes and doing a "pick and choose" regarding our likes and dislikes while trying to keep it healthy. The following recipe was a hit as a dry snack, with milk and with greek yogurt.
 
The fruits and nuts from Purcell Mountain Farms, www.purcellmountainfarms.com are quality. There are organic options, if that is important to you, a wide variety of rice, beans, nuts, dried fruit, seeds, wheat, rye etc. The pricing and shipping is competitive. There is a price break for larger quantities. Best of all, the product tastes fresh.

As an aside,  Mountain Rose Herbs, www.mountainroseherbs.com has a plethora of oils, spices, essential oils for aromatherapy and herbs. Just a warning to those of you who are very fussy about organic products. Some their organic oils are in plastic bottles. If I remember correctly, the shipping was on the pricey side however living where we do, it would cost more in time and gas to drive somewhere with this kind of selection.


Tasty Granola 

I large can of Old Fashioned Oats (46 oz I think, it’s about 15 cups)
2 c toasted coconut (I just used my nonstick fry pan to brown it)
2 c toasted pumpkin seeds
1 ½ c sesame seeds
2 c slivered almonds
1 c dried cherries
1 cdried cranberries
1 c golden raisins
Put all of the above in a large bowl and stir well. 

In a saucepan:
2 c brown sugar
1 c raw honey
½ c macadamia nut oil
1 c dried milk
Stir over medium heat until sugar melts.

Add to the liquid mixture.
2 T almond extract
1 t cinnamon
Stir well.
 
Pour over the mixture in the large bowl. Stir well. 

Pour the coated mixture into 2 lightly greased jelly rolls pans . Spread out in the pan. Place pans in a 375 degree preheated oven. Bake 10 minutes no longer as the second and third times you bake after stirring, it browns quickly. Remove pans from the oven, pour the mixture back into large bowl and stir well. Repeat this for a total of 3 times. After the third time, pour the stirred mixture out on the counter covered with parchment paper. Let cool. When completely cooled, break up large chunks and place the mixture in a large sealed container. Store excess in the freezer as it is good on the counter for about a week.

You may be able to use 1 cup brown sugar and 2 cups honey. I have not experimented with that. This recipe is so tasty, I'm not sure I will change anything.

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