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Sunday, March 6, 2011

Latest cooking jag: Macaroons and granola

Though cooking is my hobby, I'm always on the lookout for quick and easy recipes. Love, LOVE these little almond macaroons, Amaretti Cookies, a recipe found on the Joy of Baking site. I did not have superfine sugar on hand, so I used their tip to process regular sugar for 30 seconds in the food processor. With only three ingredients, plus the sanding sugar I sprinkled on top, these babies are just too easy for words!
   That same morn I also made a variation of Honey Almond Granola, a recipe I'd cut out of the December 2005 issue of Fine Cooking Magazine. Used to think I didn't like granola, until I started making my own variations with the three recipes from the article from Fine Cooking. Now granola is my fav breakfast cereal, and its cheaper than store bought besides!
   One of these days, I'm gonna goal to fill the kitchen table with my cooking adventures, like the blogger Peskychicken over at 100 Meter Diet Plus More did in his post entitled A Family Effort on Family Day. I just love that idea and can't wait to find a day to make it happen.

Honey Pecan Granola
4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup oat bran
2 cups whole pecans
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup honey
1 Tbs. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. pure almond extract
1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1/2 tsp. table salt
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped dates
In a large bowl, mix the oats, oat bran, and pecans. In a smaller bowl, whisk the oil, honey, vanilla, almond extract, dry milk powder, and salt. Pour the gloppy mixture over the oats and stir 'til well combined. Spread onto a lightly greased large baking sheet and bake for 20 min. at 325°F, then stir and continue to bake until the oats are golden brown and the nuts look well toasted, another 10 to 20 min. Do not overcook. Cool completely in the pan. The oats will crisp as they cool. When completely cool, break up the chunks then stir in the raisins and dates.
     I'm a major food voyeur, so talking about food and seeing what others are cooking gives me a real kick! What's cooking over at your place??

7 comments:

Lynda said...

YUMMY! I love anything with almonds...I'm a grower: just a can a week is all we ask!

Practical Parsimony said...

Nothing is cooking here, but you inspire me now. I had a glass of milk for breakfast and just found a Fiber One granola bar, oats and chocolate. That tasted like lunch. A pot of beans sounds like a good thing to start. I want a macaroon.

Marie said...

I'm baking a lot now that Selena is older, it occupies us quite a bit. I make our granola too but I've never tried to make amaretti cookies. Great idea and yummy with coffee.

Wan Sharif said...

Nice mouth watering post.. nothing is cooking here..

Anonymous said...

I love making my own granola. I made a chocolate chip snack cake today that is delicious.

A SPICY PERSPECTIVE said...

Those are great-looking cookies! YUM.

Warning Tips said...

Yummy, so Delicious this cake!

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