blueberry and pecan granola

This recipe is a little peek into my day job! I work in Financial Services at Oregon Cherry Growers, where my job is to control inventory — though inventory is extremely slippery and prone to deception, I do my best to keep the numbers true and in order. I’ve always been a numbers nerd and you can literally hear me do a “yesssssss” and a fist pump when actual usage and reported usage align and my numbers come out evenly. THAT is awesome, you guys.

Our co-op has been operating for 81 years, and we are owned by our cherry growers. As one of the largest producers of sweetened cherries in the world, you’ve probably enjoyed our maraschinos in a Manhattan or Old Fashioned, our glace cherries in a fruit cake during the holidays, or — my favorite — our dark cherry halves in Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (Cherry Garcia is the best flavor, amiright!). I love my job, the people I work with every day and I love these flavorful wild blueberries that we dried and wanted to show them off. Look for dried wild blueberries (they’re the small ones!) in the bulk section or baking section at your grocer.

I wanted a clean, nutritious granola that didn’t have to be an indulgence in sugars and fats. I made some departures from the usual granola recipes, so you won’t find the familiar crunchy clusters of sweet goodness since there isn’t enough sugar or fat to bind those nuggets here. But I don’t miss them; the toastiness and texture of this granola stand their own in deliciousness with these chewy blueberries, crunchy nuts and vanilla notes. I love it and I think it makes a great snack or yogurt combo for breakfast. Here’s why!:: it’s packed with protein, whole grains for a healthy heart, omega-3-rich flax seeds and healthy fats from almonds and pecans, though you could substitute any nut you like best.

Further, blueberries and wheat germ are high in antioxidants, which are important for energy and muscle function, among other things. Wheat germ is also super-high in protein (a higher percentage than you’d find in most meats, [which are not yummy in granola]) and folic acid, which helps reduce the risk of heart disease; it also contains lots of fiber, potassium and phytonutrients. It is an amazing superfood! Add the flax seeds after baking the granola to preserve their nutritional benefits. A sprinkle of cinnamon and ginger make this such a tasty bowl of toasty crunch for your morning. Enjoy!

yields about 10 cups

• 3 cups old-fashioned oats
• 2 cups red wheat flakes
• 1 cup wheat germ
• 1 cup raw almonds, chopped
• 1 cup raw pecans, chopped

• 1/3 cup olive oil or coconut oil
• 3/4 cup maple syrup, raw honey, agave, brown or raw sugar or a combination
• 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt (or 1 teaspoon table salt)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• pinch of ground cardamom (optional)

• 1/4 cup flax seeds
• 2 cups dried wild blueberries

Combine first five ingredients in the biggest bowl you’ve got. Pre-heat oven to 325F.

In a small pot over medium heat or in a microwave-safe bowl, combine the oil, sweetener of choice, vanilla, salt and spices and warm, stirring occasionally, until well combined. Pour over oat mixture in bowl and stir very well to coat evenly.

Divide between two dry, ungreased sheet pans and spread to an even layer. Bake for 30 – 50 minutes (depending on your oven and the level of toastiness you prefer), stirring every 10 minutes and rotating pans between upper and lower racks each time. Keep a close watch, because burned granola isn’t really all that nice.

Remove granola from oven and top each pan with half the flax seeds and half the blueberries; stir. Allow to cool completely, and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a month, or in the freezer for up to six months.

super-simple Christmas treats

it’s happening!

Santa’s coming to town!!

Christmas and winter, i love this time of year.

rain is blowing sideways here in the valley, flooding low points of parking lots and sidewalks just enough to go over one’s shoes if one doesn’t watch where one steps. an empty parking space downtown has become a myth, and the office breakroom is brimming with christmas cookies and homemade treats. (so it doesnt help that most of my coworkers are already on vacation! i find it so difficult to turn down peppermint bark.) tonight, my sister flies in from New York, and my baby brother (who turned 19 this week!) arrives from the city he lives in, about an hour’s drive away.

i’m so excited!

this year, things are a little different. yes, we wrestled another 12-foot tree into our loft; i still attended an amazing cookie swap as well as our friend’s sparkly, dress-up cocktail party; but this year we decided in my immediate family not to exchange gifts. i can’t imagine possibly having more than i already do!… i am so blessed and provided for, and i don’t need anything. (but Nathan and i couldnt help but buy a few small treats for everyone anyway!) 

but mostly because last Friday, during my office Christmas party, Nathan left me a voicemail letting me know he had unexpectedly been laid off. and i couldnt call him back, since his phone belonged to the company. we got him a new phone, yes, but things feel very different than a week ago. but we are so thankful for the Lord’s timing and hand in our lives. my new job is stable and wonderful and covers both of us with medical insurance, and for now i have a House Husband who helps with groceries, errand-running, cleaning and……. well, let’s be honest, i still do the cooking (it’s my favorite)! a definite highlight is that Nathan is no longer working on-call this Christmas, or for any Christmas, or holiday or weekend or birthday ever again. i’m thrilled!! i’ve cooked a nice Valentine’s Day dinner for one for the last time; awoken to work calls in the middle of the night for the last time. 

so much to be thankful for!

i want to celebrate every day, and of course that means i want to eat! here are some of our dinnersforwinners favorites that we rounded up to inspire your holiday kitchen…………

if you want a peek into a delicious Hawley tradition, these peppery, spiced gingerbread cookies are as tasty as they are adorable. they are super-simple to make, fun to decorate, and fill the house with a wonderful gingerbread smell!

still my most popular recipe on this blog to-date, salted butter carmels are a great way to try your hand at candymaking, if you haven’t before. they are so delicious, and so much better than anything you could purchase! wrapped in some parchment or colored cellophane, they are the perfect last-minute gift… just make sure to save some for yourself! i love the creamy caramels and flecks of salt on top.

if you need a last-minute idea for contributing to a party, this mushroom tart is one of my top favorites! it serves well at room-temperature, so, great for traveling. prep is so easy with frozen puff pastry, and i think the tart is pretty presentation. i love the flakey pastry, melty Gruyere cheese and roasted mushrooms together!

i also adore these SPAM latkes — i know, so un-Kosher, but seriously so delicious! crispy potato cakes laced with salty shredded SPAM are amazing alongside a little pickled cabbage. you could swap leftover Christmas ham for the SPAM or even skip the meat and go all veggie. i could eat potato pancakes for every meal!

i hope the season is bringing you contentment and family and champagne punch and mistletoe.

and if you’re up for it, consider a little something to raise support for those affected around Sandy Hook Elementary in a run and ride in January! this is something we can do together, no matter how far apart we may be from each other geographically. participants commit to running or cycling 26 miles in the week, in whatever manner they choose, and registration fees benefit the victim’s families and first-responders. i hope you’ll decide to meet the challenge with me! i’m a slow runner, but steady, and with each step i can pray for healing in the Newtown community.

peace on earth. yes? and goodwill toward men.