Pumpkin Granola

Today I was inspired to whip up a batch of PUMPKIN GRANOLA.

I am really impressed with how it turned out since it's my first attempt at ever making homemade granola.

Ingredients:
6 cups of whole rolled oats (not instant)
1/2 cup sweetened coconut
1/2 cup slivered almonds
2 T brown sugar
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2/3 cup honey
1/4 cup canola oil
3/4 cup pumpkin puree (canned not pumpkin pie filling)
2 T. water
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Combine oats, coconut, almonds and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl - toss well.

Combine honey, canola oil, pumpkin and water then add to dry ingredients and toss well - mixture will be moist.

Place oats on a large baking sheet, bake in oven for 20 minutes - remove and gently toss and bake another 20 minutes.  Remove from oven, toss and bake for another 20 minutes or until brown and crisp.  Mixture will still be a little soft but will crisp up more as it cools off.  

Remove from oven and stir in cranberries and raisins.  Let cool completely and then store in sealed container or plastic bag.  Use within two weeks to enjoy best flavor.  

This is really a taste of AUTUMN!

Happy Fall

I hope all of you are enjoying this Fall season - this is one of my favorite times of the year!  Not only are the trees starting to turn but here in Kentucky there is that little, wonderful nip in the air.  I wanted to share some little things I have done to decorate around the house to celebrate Fall.

 

I just love the white pumpkin! 

And here is what the Fall Coasters look like that I recently did, encase you missed my blog post on how to do this click here:  Tile Coasters

Autumn Chopped Salad

This weekend we went over to my in-laws for dinner - I was asked to bring a salad.  Because I didn't want to take just any salad I started looking online for a good recipe.  Here's what I found thanks to this great blog: Espresso and Cream.  If you like salad as much as we do this recipe is a must try and it's VERY easy!

Autumn Chopped Salad

6-8 cups chopped Romaine Lettuce (I like the Hearts of Romaine)

2 medium pears chopped

1 cup dried cranberries

1 cup chopped pecans

8 slices of chopped bacon or a jar of real bacon pieces (you can find this over in the salad dressing aisle)

4-6 oz. crumbled feta cheese

Poppy Seed Dressing

Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

This time I used Newman's Own brand Poppy Seed Dressing and I made my own Balsamic Vinaigrette (1-2 t. dijon mustard, 1/4 c balsamic vinegar and 1/4 c or less extra virgin olive oil)

Toss all salad ingredients together then add 30 percent balsamic vinaigrette and about 70 percent Poppy Seed Dressing then toss well...serve immediately.   We served our dressing on the side.  My father in law used Italian dressing he had instead of what I brought and he said the salad was still stupendous!  I can't wait to make this salad again and it would also be a really good Main Course salad with a little chopped, grilled chicken. Enjoy!