Granola

I'm posting a quick and easy recipe today for granola.  Although I hadn't made this recipe in a while, I was inspired recently to revisit this old gem.  A friend, whom I had given the recipe to years ago, requested the recipe again the other day.  As I was throwing this post (and batch of granola) together, I realized that C. and this granola have quite a lot in common--they are both fun, have just the right amount of sweetness, are a little out of the ordinary...and are pretty nutty too!   You can't go wrong having either as a friend.  Cheers to you and yours, C....enjoy!

Lime Ginger Coconut Cake

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  These cheerful flavors and bright colors are an enchanting way to sweep out the dreary days of winter and herald the brighter days of spring.  It you love the magical combination of lime, ginger and coconut as much as I do, these little edible leprechauns will be some of the best things you ever put in your mouth...ever!  

The Best Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is one of my favorite recipes to share because this cookie is so delicious in its own right, whole wheat or no.  Really...the...best...I'm not just throwin' that out there without any significant data and research to back it up (i.e. years of blanket approval from my very picky housemates, who couldn't give a fig about whole wheat this or reduced fat that.)  These make great treats and provide the perfect snack to nibble on whilst eagerly awaiting those first signs of spring just on the other side of the window...just you, a cold glass of milk and your new best friend.

Pumpkin Bread

Nothing says fall around here like the first batch of pumpkin bread, delicious both plain or fancy (quasi fancy version here).  Super moist, loaded with spices and definitely pumpkin-forward, this recipe is a love letter to fall and a delicious way to celebrate the flavors of the season.

Roasted Tomatoes and Pasta

True confession time: I'm not a big fan of raw tomatoes.  I know...I know!  Practically sacrilege this time of year.  I do like them though in small doses, diced up in a salad, or cooked down into a lovely sauce.  But as much as I wish I was one of those people that could just sit down to a plate of sliced tomatoes, fresh from the garden, lightly salted and dressed, it just isn't going to happen for me.   There's just too much, well, tomatoiness going on.  However, slice up some little beauties, throw them in a pool of olive oil, a sprinkle of salt and a touch of sugar, pop them in the oven for a long and low roast...well, that, as they say, changes everything.

Cornmeal Shortcake

Just a quick and simple post for today, complete with a quick and simple, but much less-than-ordinary, shortcake (sure to become your new favorite as it has mine).  I've taken advantage of the strawberry bounty, but any fruit would be proud to poise atop these light and delicate cakes, made more interesting by the addition of cornmeal.  Although you can't really tell from the photos, I used my favorite blue cornmeal (see my lovely corn muffin recipe here), thinking all patriotic and such...red, white and blue for Independence Day.  All in all, a stellar recipe to help celebrate the 4th...or any other special occasion you might have.