Pumpkin Spiced Granola

This is to get you excited for the season that is upon us. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Spice Granola

3 ½ cups rolled oats

2 ½ cups puffed rice cereal

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

¾ tsp. salt

¾ cup brown sugar

½ cup pumpkin puree

¼ cup applesauce

¼ cup maple syrup

1 tsp. vanilla extract

up to 1 ½ cups chopped nuts

up to 1 cup dried fruit

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, combine oats and puffed rice cereal. In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin pie spice, salt, sugar, pumpkin puree, applesauce, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Whisk until very smooth. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until the oat mixture is evenly coated. Spread on the prepared baking sheet in an even layer.
  3. Bake for 30 minutes. Then turn over the granola using a large, wide spatula. Sprinkle the nuts onto the granola and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until crisp and golden. Depending on the size of your baking sheet, the center may not be fully dried if your granola layer is thick, so if necessary remove the edges of the cooked granola and let the rest cook until done, 10-15 more minutes. Cool on pan or on a fine wire rack.
  4. Break up granola as desired and toss with dried fruit. Store in an airtight container.

I PROMISE I will post a recipe next. But first, do any of you have a blog that I should know about? I would love to be invited if you don't mind. :) My email is dixiedotsons@hotmail.com.

Love you!
Amy Dotson

Mom's Royal Blueberry Bran Muffins

These are the blueberry muffins Mom makes every Christmas. They are nutritious and delicious!

Combine and Set Aside:

2 c boiling water

2 c All Bran cereal

3 c sugar

1 c shortening or oil

Mix and Add with the Above Ingredients:

4 eggs

1 qt. buttermilk

Then Add:

5 c. flour (Mom usually uses fresh ground white wheat)

3 tsp. soda

3 tsp. salt

Mix all ingredients well.

Last Add:

4 c 40% bran flakes

2 c blueberries

Mix well and place in refrigerator. Do not use 1st day. Keep covered. When ready, fill greased muffin pan about 2/3 full in each cup.

Bake 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees. Batter keeps in refrigerator up to 6 weeks. Cooked muffins also freeze well.

Carrot Chowder

This is my favorite soup. It is a staple meal around here.

1 lb. ground turkey
1 large onion, chopped
salt and pepper
--Saute these three, then add:

1 C diced celery
1 green pepper, chopped
2 1/2 C coarsely shredded carrots
1 1/2 C water
1 quart tomato juice (from a can)
1 tsp garlic salt
1 T sugar
1/2 tsp pepper
--Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 15-30 min. Then add:

2 cans cream of celery soup
--Now serve with fresh grated Parmesan sprinkled on top! YUM!

Romaine and Feta Green Salad

1 C chopped pecans or walnuts
3 T butter
2 tsp pepper
1/2 C sugar
- Saute nuts in butter for 5 min. Don't let butter brown. Then toss nuts in pepper and sugar until coated.

8 oz spinach (can skip and add more romaine)
1 head Romaine lettuce, chopped
1/4 C dried cranberries
1/4 lb crumbled feta cheese

Dressing:
Blend - 2 tsp sugar
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp oregano
1/2 med red onion
1/2 tsp salt
1 C fresh parsley
1 C canola oil (can use olive)

Toss everything together and Yum! This makes a lot of dressing, can half that.

Brownie Cake - Hinckley Family Favorite

Brownie Cake
1 C butter
2 oz. unsweetened chocolate (Or 6 T cocoa pwdr)
1 C hot water
2 C flour
2 C sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
1/2 C milk or buttermilk (I make buttermilk with milk and a 1/2 T vinegar)
2 tsp vanilla

Melt butter and chocolate in saucepan. Add water and boil for 2 minutes. Mix in dry ingredients. Then add rest of ingredients. Beat with mixer until creamy. Batter will be a little thin. Pour into 9x13 greased pan. Bake 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Cool a bit before frosting. Don't dump out of pan.

Frosting for Brownie Cake
1/2 C butter
2 oz unsweetened chocolate (Or 6 T cocoa pwdr)
1/3 C milk
1 pkg (16 oz) powdered sugar (I add a little bit more than this)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 C copped nuts (optional)

- Melt butter and chocolate in saucepan. Add milk and boil until it thickens, careful not to burn it. Add in other ingredients with mixer until creamy. Frost while frosting is still hot.

Snicker Doodles

This is a very good recipe that I have received many compliments on. This makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Cream these indgredients well:

2 c butter

4 eggs

3 c sugar

Add and mix:

4 tsp cream of tarter

2 tsp soda

1/2 tsp salt

5 c flour (add this last)

Refrigerate dough until firm.

Roll balls of dough in a bowl of:

1 Tbsp cinnamon

1/2 c sugar

Bake on greased cookie sheet at 350 for 10-12 minutes.