Glazed Nuts for the Holidays

474.  How many parties have you been to where there are bowls of pretzels, chips, salted peanuts, Chex Mix and an occasional specialty chip or pretzel.  Now, to be clear, I love a good pretzel, chip or Chex Mix.  But, this holiday season why don't you deviate from the norm and place bowls of Glazed Nuts around the room.  Or, place a scoop in a cellophane bag and tie with a velvet ribbon to give as a take away.  It's up to you if you would include the recipe or not, "wink, wink".

You can make them salty or sweet. Trust me, once someone takes a taste, shares how great they are, there will be people congregating around the bowl in excited conversations.  As well as hearing, "What spices are on these nuts?" or "You have to give me this recipe!".

I remember being invited to a Christmas party at my friend JoAnn's house.  She got the memo and had these bowls of sweet glazed nuts around on side tables and within reach wherever you found yourself.  And of course, they were the conversation of the night.  

So, in honor of JoAnn and her perfect hosting, I give you my Glazed Nuts recipes.

It is your choice which nuts you use as each nut has its own wonderful flavor and enhances or clashes with the spices added.

And you can create a recipe of your own adding different spices, dried fruits or different salts.

I hope you try one of the recipes and it brings compliments from your guests.  

"Families are like fudge, mostly sweet but filled with nuts."

~ Unknown

"Today's oak tree is just yesterday's nut, that held it's ground."

~ David Icke

Granola

 296.  Crunchy, sweet, healthy, delightful, satisfying and so simplistic!  GRANOLA
Sprinkle it on yogurt, spoon it over your peanut butter.  Or just fill a bowl and add ice cold milk and a spoon.

I am amazed each time I purchase granola bars or granola in the market and realize how pricey it is.  I decided to create and make my own.

 While researching other recipes there was a large variety of ingredients to choose from.  I practiced and experimented with many items.  Here is one recipe that was ace.

Granola

Old Fashioned Oats  6 to 8 cups
Finax Nut and Fruit Oat mix from IKEA Marketplace 4 cups
Almonds 2 cups
Coconut Flakes 2 cups
Coconut Oil 1 cup
Craisins 1 cup, dried cranberries
Sea Salt 2 Teaspoons
Brown Sugar 1 cup
Egg White 2
Cinnamon 1 Teaspoon
Molasses 2 Tablespoons

Place all ingredients in a large bowl.  Wash your hands and arms very well and dry.  Mix the ingredients together with your hands.  You will be able to feel the ingredients blending together.  This is much more effective than using a spoon or spatula.

Place mixed ingredients into a baking pan with sides (jelly roll pan).  Bake in a 230 degree oven for approximately an hour.  Stir the granola every 15 minutes to make sure the outer edge does not burn.

 Allow the granola to cool.  Then store in an airtight container.  It will store for up to a month...but it won't last that long.

 To make granola bars, just add more egg white, brown sugar and coconut oil.  When you are mixing the granola it will be more sticky and hold together.  Press into the same type of baking sheet.  Bake but do not mix during the baking process.  You may need to adjust the baking time and temperature. Then,  wait for 5 minutes and cut bars into desired shape.  Wrap each bar separately or store in an airtight container between waxed paper sheets.

The other items you could add are endless!  Just use your imagination and add what you love.  One hint:  When adding chocolate chips, make sure you refrigerate the chips then add them after the granola cools.  In bars, refrigerate chips then drop them on the top of the bars after you cut them.  The chocolate will begin to melt slightly and adhere to the top of the bars.

"God has already done everything He's going to do.  The ball is now in your court.  If you want success, if you want wisdom, if you want to be prosperous and healthy, you're going to have to do more than meditate and believe; you must boldly declare words of faith and victory over yourself and your family."

~Joel Osteen

Caramel Apples

183. One of the easiest and most fulfilling fall treat is caramel apples. If you haven't made caramel apples, you need to. Kraft has made it so simple with a microwave recipe on the package of caramels.

I was watching the new Food Network program on Sundays with Anne Thornton called "Dessert First". *LOVE* She shows her recipe for making caramel sauce.

You could make your own or grab a couple bags of caramel squares at the market.

You just unwrap all the caramels then add a little water, microwave and stir till desired consistency.

I like to add extra goodies like nuts, chocolate chips and sprinkles to my apples.

You can choose to coat them up to the stick or just along the sides.

Then let the caramel rest a few minutes.

This batch was dipped in melted dark chocolate and then dipped in toasted walnuts or sprinkles.

What a delicious gift or slice them and place on a dessert plate for Thanksgiving dessert.

When was the last time you made caramel apples????

"If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas."

~ George Bernard Shaw