Homemade Granola Recipe

The other day I was at panera looking for a weight watcher friendly snack and settled on a yogurt and granola parfait which was a whooping 7 points but had the most delicious granola on the top of it. I decided to try to copy the recipe and make my own granola which came out very good. I love that I am making my own recipes to make things healthier for myself.

Homemade Granola

4 cups of oats

3/4 cups chopped pecans

1/3 cups shredded coconut

1/2 cups of brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup olive oil 

1/4 cup honey

1/8 cup maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla

Mix together and then place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees rotating every 10-15 minutes until brown. It took about an hour to finally bake all the way.

Spartacus Restaurant: Greek Awesomeness!

Phil and I used a Living Social Deal to try this restaurant which was a few months back and now we have been 3 times. The deal is still going on too! The pita is absolutely delicious and you can tell that it is homemade. The greek salad which is my favorite is so good and has lots of feta cheese on it. Ever since joining weight watchers feta cheese has been one of my go to's because it is lower in calories than other cheeses. On Friday evenings, they have a belly dancer perform which is entertaining to watch. This is definitely one of Phil and I's favorite places when we are craving greek food. Try it for yourself!

Do you have any suggestions for greek recipes at home? Or local greek restaurants?

Chili Cook Off

Hay and I have entered ourselves into a chili cook off at work. She has an awesome recipe...which betting on her fabulous chicken parm recipe hopefully it will be a winner. However, I wanted to challenge us to make a chicken chili because it is much healthier than beef and because of my genetic mutation I don't eat a lot of red meat (red meat over time has been linked to increases of colon cancer). 

So, Hayleigh and I have been toying with this idea for a month and yesterday when we got together  we bought all of the ingredients and were on our way back to her place when I scrolled down and noticed we were going to need a food processor. Whoopsies. Hayleigh and I then decided due to our hunger and the fact that we had just been paid that we should dine out and try this recipe again later when we have all the necessary ingredients and equipment.

Hay and I have a long list of things that we say that we are going to do but haven't done everything to fruition. But, that is what makes us, us. 

The chili cooking (actual cooking) will continue on Monday. Stay tuned.

Any awesome chili recipes out there? 

Peaches!!

                                   

Rita and I went to the Farmer's Market in Raleigh to pick up some peaches. I decided after my quick run on Tuesday that I really wanted waffles so I decided that it would be a wonderful idea to make Peach Blackberry Compote instead of using syrup. It turned out delicious.

                                     

Peach Blackberry Compote Recipe
Ingredients:
2 peaches
2 tbsp. white sugar
6-7 blackberries
juice from 1/2 of a lemon

Directions:
Put all ingredients into small saucepan and cook on low while making your waffles. Stir occasionally. The longer you cook it the better the consistency is. I cooked mine for about 20 minutes and it was delicious and a great way to use fruit.

Today, I decided that I wanted to try making a peach crisp. I know cobbler is more southern but I grew up eating crisp everything. My Dad was also very good at mastering a graham cracker base and oatmeal top but I decided to keep it simple today. Last year when I went to IKEA (best store ever) I found this perfect casserole dish for just one person which is perfect for me. I have made personal size everything for myself which is great because I am not a big fan of leftovers.

                                      

       
Peach Crisp Recipe
Serving: 1-2

Ingredients:
2 peaches (peeled and cut into cubes)
¼ c. brown sugar
½ c. oats
2 pinches of white sugar
2 pinches or small shakes of cinnamon
1 tbsp. of butter (cut into small cubes)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Put peeled and cut peaches into baking dish. Mix together all the dry ingredients and butter and place evenly on top of peaches. Place in oven for 35-40 minutes or until the top looks brown. Serve with ice cream for an extra treat.

It was so delicious that I had it for dinner tonight. Enjoy!

Watermelon Salsa Recipe

This is an easy and delicious recipe.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups of watermelon, cut into small chunks

1/3 cup of red onion, chopped

10 leaves of cilantro

1 jalapeño

1 lime, juiced

Add all of the ingredients together and enjoy immediately. If you don't like spicy salsa I would suggest using less jalapeño. I also didn't add salt because the chips are already salty but you can add as needed. I buy the watermelon already cut which saves on prep time.