Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Brown Sugar Beans & Meat

My favorite bean recipe! Great for BBQs, potlucks and picnics!

Ingredients:
3-4 cups dried beans of choice or 1 can lima beans, 1 can kidney beans & 1 can pork & beans
*if using dried beans you will also need 1 cup beef or bone broth
1 onion - chopped
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 TBSP dry mustard
1 lb ground beef
1/2 lb bacon - chopped into smallish chunks
salt and pepper to taste

Start by boiling dried beans to specifications. Rinse, drain and place in 4 quart or larger crock pot. In a large skillet over medium high heat, cook bacon (until almost crispy) and brown beef. Drain and add both to crock pot. Saute onion until tender and add to crock pot along with broth, mustard, brown sugar, salt and pepper.
Stir until combined and cook on low 1-2 hours.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Sweet & Spicy Granola

I wanted a healthier, less sugary snack alternative to store bought granola....so I made my own!!

Ingredients:
2 cups thick rolled oats
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup unsweetened, large flake coconut
2 cups assorted nuts (cashews, peanuts, almonds, pecans) - roughly chopped
1/4 cup ground flax seed
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp chili powder
a few dashes cayenne
1/4 cup honey
3 TBSP olive oil

Preheat oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, raisins, nuts, flax seed and spices.

Heat olive oil and honey just until warm and pour over mixture. Toss in bowl until everything is well coated and spread evenly on lined baking sheet.

Bake 30-50 minutes, stirring and flipping occasionally until lightly golden. Let cool. Break apart and store in tupperware or Ziploc bag!