It seems fitting that the first "blog post" I share is of a recipe. Most communication with my good friends and family these days is always around food - sending each other recipe links + photos of our meals we've made that we think are worth making again. My family has always put great emphasis on the food we eat - "What's for dinner?" is part of every conversation.
As a kid I aspired to be Martha Stewart. (I'm old enough that this was well before her days behind bars). I'd watch her on TV with my parents most nights and my Dad would criticize how insanely particular she was about everything, but I secretly admired her attention to detail. She would showcase her stunning homes decorated to the nines, with sprawling gardens likely maintained by a team of staff members.
Now that I'm in my mid 30's I can really appreciate those episodes where she showed us how to fold fitted sheets, and iron things, and entertain guests with beautiful linens, and flatware... It seems fitting now that what I carry in my shop reflects what I want in my home; for my family and friends; while paying particular attention to quality and every unique detail that comes with handmade items. My linen closet still looks much different than Martha's but it's a work in progress.
I thought my first journal entry would be a bit of an introduction to me and how I started this little business, but for now I'm going to share with you this delicious granola recipe. It's crunchy, sweet, a little bit salty, and is oh-so-good for cleaning up all the little ends of nuts and seeds you may have lying around in your pantry. Does anyone else like purging their fridge and pantry as much as I do?
Ingredients:
4 cups of old-fashioned rolled oats
1 1/2 cups of raw nuts and or seeds (I used a mix of cashews, almonds and sunflower seeds)
1 tsp of fine grain sea salt
1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon
1/2 cup of melted coconut oil or olive oil
1/2 cup of maple syrup or honey
1 tsp of vanilla extract
2/3 cup of dried fruit (think raisins, dried cranberries, cut up apricots etc.)
Optional extras such as chocolate chips or coconut flakes
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and for easy clean up line a cookie sheet with parchment paper
In a large bowl combine all of the dry ingredients except dried fruit, chocolate and or coconut
In a large measuring cup combine the wet ingredients and pour over dry mixture, stirring to combine everything, making sure all of the oats are coated lightly.
Pour the entire mixture onto your prepared cookie sheet and spread it out evenly patting down gently
Bake for about 21-24 minutes, until golden in colour
Let the granola cool completely as it gets crispier as it cools. Break it up and mix in any dried fruit and or chocolate chips at this point
Store in an air tight container and try not to eat it all in one sitting!
My favourite way to eat granola is over a bowl of greek yogurt, with fresh fruit, and additional maple syrup.
These hand-sanded-to-perfection serving boards and wiggly spoons made for the perfect backdrop for this granola! If you're after a one-of-a-kind gift for yourself or someone who is a "foodie" in your life, these are the perfect items. Practical pieces of art. Find the perfect one in the shop at the link below.
Happy Baking!
- Amy