Brown Butter Granola

D and I eat a fair amount of granola. I kept thinking, “why haven’t I tried to make my own?” Then I would forget about it until the next time I was picking up granola at the store. This is a basic recipe that can be tailored based on your tastes; use your favorite nuts and add in whatever dried fruits get you excited.

You will need:

• 8 T (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/4 c brown sugar
• 1/4 c honey
• 3 T pure maple syrup
• 2 t vanilla
• 1/2 t ground cinnamon
• 1/4 t ground ginger
• 1/4 t ground nutmeg
• Pinch of sea salt
• 1/2 c nuts (I recommend pecans or walnuts)
• 2 c slow cooking old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 c coconut flakes
• 1/2 c unsweetened chocolate chips or chunks
• 3/4 c dried fruit, chopped (I used a mix of apricots and cherries)

Then you will…

1. Preheat your oven to 275 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. I recommend one with sides.
2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Allow the butter to foam and then brown, stirring regularly, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Pour the browned butter into a small mixing bowl. Whisk in the brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and pinch of salt.
4. Pulse the nuts in a food processor until coarse ground.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the nuts with the oats and coconut flakes.
6. Stir in the browned butter mixture. Mix well.
7. Spread the granola on the prepared baking sheet.
8. Bake 45-60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven when golden brown.
9. Allow to cool on the baking sheet.
10. Break apart into a large mixing bowl.
11. Mix in the chocolate and dried fruit.
12. The granola will keep for about one week in an airtight container.

Chocolate Coconut Overnight Oatmeal

If you’ve been reading my earlier recipes, you saw one for Banana Nut and another for Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oatmeal. To keep you inspired, check out this version with coconut milk.

You will need:

• 1 1/2 c slow cooking oats
• 1 can (14.5 oz) lite coconut milk
• 4-5 oz vanilla yogurt
• 4 T unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 T pure maple syrup
• 1 t vanilla extract

Then you will…

1. In a medium bowl, combine everything.
2. Stir well.
3. Divide into four portions in containers with lids.
4. Refrigerate overnight.
5. Stir and enjoy!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oatmeal

Liked the Banana Nut Overnight Oatmeal? Try this peanut butter and chocolate variation (note that this would also be scrumptious with mashed banana).

You will need:

• 1 1/2 c slow cooking oats
• 1 1/2 c milk
• 4-5 oz vanilla yogurt
• 1/3 c peanut butter
• 4 T unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 T pure maple syrup
• 1 t vanilla extract

Then you will…

1. In a medium bowl, combine everything.
2. Stir well.
3. Divide into four portions in containers with lids.
4. Refrigerate overnight.
5. Stir and enjoy!

Banana Nut Overnight Oatmeal

No cook, overnight oatmeal seems to be increasingly popular these days. You mix it together the night before, pop it in your fridge, and end up with an easy breakfast the next morning. It’s fun for two reasons: 1) you can mix up quite a few different flavor combinations and 2) who doesn’t like a cool breakfast in the spring and summer? This recipe makes about 4 portions.

You will need:

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 1/2 c slow cooking oats
• 1 1/2 c milk
• 4-5 oz vanilla yogurt
• 1 t vanilla extract
• 2 T pure maple syrup
• 2 t ground cinnamon
• 1/2 t ground nutmeg
• 1/4 t ground cloves
• 1/4 c chopped pecans

Then you will…

1. In a medium bowl, combine everything but the pecans.
2. Stir well.
3. Divide into four portions in containers with lids.
4. Refrigerate overnight.
5. Stir in the pecans and enjoy! (Note: you could add the pecans the night before, but they will absorb some of the liquid. If you want them to stay crunchy, add them in the morning).

Caribbean Grilled Pork Chops with Mango Salsa

We grilled these pork chops when my family was in town for R’s baptism. You mix up a spice rub and can prep the pork earlier in the day, so it is an easy meal when you have visitors.

You will need:

• 2 T paprika
• 2 T garlic powder
• 2 t dried oregano
• 1/2 t cayenne pepper
• 1/2 t cumin
• 1/2 t cinnamon
• 1/4 t nutmeg
• 1/4 t cloves
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 lb of pork chops

Then you will…

1. Combine all the spices in a small bowl.
2. Rub the pork with the spice mixture.
3. Grill until cooked through over medium heat. For 1-inch thick chops, this is about 4 minutes on each side.
4. Serve with mango salsa. (I added a little cumin to the salsa this time).