This is the second variety in the great granola ball taste test. Should I have a go to recipe for granola balls, this would be it. Although, I would dial down the sweetness if possible.
Cranberry Chia Granola Bites
Adapted from Babble
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup agave nectar
1 1/2 Tbsp chia seeds
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup room temperature creamy nut butter
Directions
1. Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl, add wet ingredients and mix until thoroughly incorporated.
2. Let chill in the refrigerator for at least half an hour.
3. Working with wet hands, roll into bite sized balls.
4. Store in refrigerator.
Note: This recipe is not scientific. Anything can be modified and or substituted to your preferences. Also, depending on temperature, humidity, etc. you may have to add more dry or wet ingredients to get the balls to come together. They don’t have to be perfect to be yummy!
I’ve never had a veggie burger. Despite 10 years of not eating red meat, I never gave one a chance. Now that I am a full fledged carnivore who tries to eat less meat, I’d been dying to try a veggie burger! After scouring my cookbooks and the internet, I complied this recipe using leftovers that I had in my fridge. I was shocked with how simple and delicious it was.
While this recipe couldn’t compete against my favorite bison burger, it holds it’s own to any healthy, average weeknight meal.
Black Bean & Beet Burgers
Ingredients
-1 cup beets, roasted, cooled, & shredded
-1 cup black beans, cooked & cooled
-1 cup brown, black or wild rice, cooked & cooled
-¼ cup oats
-½ cup wheat germ
-¼ cup Italian seasoning
-1 tbsp salt
-freshly ground pepper
Directions
1. In the bowl of a food processor, fitted with the blade attachment, gently pulse all ingredients until thoroughly combined. Place the mixture in the fridge for at least a half an hour to chill.
2. Form perfect patties using a parchment covered baking sheet, a large cookie scoop, an English muffin ring, and an oiled spoon. Drop 2 scoops on mixture into the ring on top of the parchment. Lightly press mixture into ring with the spoon. Gently remove ring, using your finger to prevent the mixture from tearing at the edges. Otherwise, just shape them with your hands.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 and a cast iron skillet on medium high. Pour a thin layer of oil into the skillet and, once the oil is hot, gently turn a burger or two into the skillet. Cook about two minutes on each side, allowing the mixture to “brown.” Place burger back onto parchment covered baking sheet, top with cheese, and finish heating in the oven until cheese is ooey gooey.
4. Serve on a toasted bun with your favorite toppings.
For years I thought sweet potatoes were giant tubers topped with ice cream scooper sized mounds of butter and cinnamon sugar. Then I discovered the simplicity of Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Whether cut into fries, chips, chunks, or wedges; served crispy or soft; these are a delicious, naturally sweet side dish. I once served these to a friend who exclaimed after clearing his plate “I don’t even like sweet potatoes!”| Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes Ingredients -2 large sweet potatoes - 2 TBSP olive oil - freshly ground pepper - sea salt to taste Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 450°F. For crispier potatoes, preheat the oven & baking sheet to 500°F. 2. Peel the sweet potatoes, removing any tough spots. Cut into desired shape, trying to keep the size uniform throughout. 3. In a large bowl, combine potatoes & oil, tossing to coat. Use your hands to ensure all pieces are thoroughly coated. 4. Spread the potatoes on a baking sheet. If you are making chips or fries, use a wire cooking rack, coated with additional oil, to allow heat to penetrate both sides of the potatoes. Top with freshly ground pepper & salt. 5. Bake for 20 minutes & check to see how done the are. Continue baking until desired crispness. I like mine a little soft, hubby likes his crispy, so I usually cut two different sized potatoes. Notes Baking time depends largely on the size & shape of your cut potatoes. Use this recipe as a guide and adapt to your personal preferences. Additionally, potatoes are excellent coated with spices like chipotle, smoked paprika, pumpkin pie spice, Old Bay, etc. |