Christmas Snack

Finally got around to trying this recipe I found in the Edmonton Sun:

ROASTED HONEY BALSAMIC PECANS
A gift for friends hosting an open house or drinks party? A gift bowl holding glossy pecans is perfect. For freshness, flavour and presentation, be sure to buy the nuts in halves. This recipe doubles easily.

2 cups (500 ml), (1/2 lb./250 g) pecans or walnut halves (I used walnuts)
3 Tbsp. (45 ml) liquid honey
1 Tbsp. (15 ml) balsamic vinegar
3/4 tsp. (4 ml) coarse sea salt, Maldon recommended
Line large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
In a bowl, stir pecans with honey until nuts are well coated. Stir in vinegar.
Spread nuts evenly and in 1 layer over baking sheets. Roast in centre of preheated 350F (180C) oven, stirring once, until glossy with a toasty aroma, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Sprinkle with salt; let cool completely. Break apart. (Make-ahead: Store at room temperature in airtight container for up to 2 weeks.)
Makes 2 cups (500 ml) nuts
TIP: If nuts become sticky, spread on baking sheet and return to oven for 5 minutes.
VARIATION: Maple Balsamic Pecans: Toss nuts with 1/3 cup (75 ml) medium or amber maple syrup and 2 Tbsp. (30 ml) balsamic vinegar. Roast for about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring twice. This recipe is inspired by the glazed pecans at Les Fougeres, one of Canada's loveliest restaurants located in Gatineau, Quebec.

MY REVIEW: These are great and very easy. My only advice, watch them closely. It seems there's only a 10 second window between done to perfection and burnt to a crisp. I baked for 5 minutes, stirred, then another 5 minutes. In our oven at least, 15 minutes was way too long! I'm bringing them to a Christmas get together today with some dried strawberries to compliment them.

Homemade Granola

We bought some 0% fat, all natural ingredient yogurt on our last shopping trip. I'm sure that it's SUPER good for you but honestly it does not taste that good. It needed a little something so I made some granola to mix into it. A google search brought me to this page. I had just about everything it called for so I gave it a shot! It turned out very tasty. Here's what I put in mine:


MIX
4cups oatmeal
3/4cups walnut pieces
1/2cup almond halves
1/2tsp salt

MIX (in seperate bowl)
1/2cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4cup canola oil

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones, then put the mixture on a cookie sheet and place in the oven for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, stir with a spatula and place back in the oven for another 10 minutes or until it starts to get a little brown and sort of dry. Remove from the oven.

MIX IN:
3/4 cups raisins
1/4 cup dried cranberries

I put 2 jars in the freezer and kept one out on the counter. After making Jason a little sample, he went back to the pan 3 times to add more granola to his yogurt so I think it was a hit. You could pretty much add any kind of nut or seed you have in the pantry.

MY REVIEW: I loved it. Will definetly make again once I'm out but try adding some sunflower seeds and a different dried fruit next time.

JASONS REVIEW: 5 out of 5 nuts. He liked it hot out of the oven in the "cold creamy yogurto" (???)