Almond Granola

 My friend made this for me and it is so yummy. It's even yummy to just snack on plain.

*Sometimes I do 1 1/2 times this recipe or double it. If you double it you may want to use two pans.

 

1/4 c. brown sugar

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup oil (one thing I do is to measure the oil first, then the measuring cup is oily and the honey slides right out)

1/4 t. salt

1 t. vanilla

1 t. almond extract

4 cups old-fashioned oats

1/2 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup slivered almonds (or you can use just one cup of one kind or almonds if you don't have both)

Mix sugar, honey, oil, salt, vanilla, almond extract. Add to oats and almonds and mix well. Spread mixture on a greased rimmed baking sheet or jelly roll pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes, then stir. Bake another 10-12 minutes or until very lightly browned, stir again and let cool completely, then store in a covered container or Ziplock.

Inside-out Stuffed Peppers

This is a family favorite at our house. We eat it all the time! And its super easy!

1/2 lb. Ground beef/turkey
1/2 onion, chopped
1 (16oz.) can stewed tomatoes, cut up
1 large green pepper (I use red or yellow sometimes too, cut up
1/2 c. Uncooked long grain rice (we like to use quinoa instead)
1/2 c. Water
2tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Pepper
Cheddar cheese

Brown meat and add onions, cook until onion is done. Remove any grease. Add remaining ingredients, except cheese. Cover and bake at 350 for 1 hour, or until grain is done. Uncover and sprinkle with cheese. Return to oven until cheese melts.

Home Made Peppermint Patties

Homemade Peppermint Patties


Makes: About 30 Candies

14 ounces Sweetened Condensed Milk

6 ½ cups Confectioners Sugar

1 tablespoon Peppermint Extract

3 cups Dark Chocolate, Chopped

2 tablespoons Shortening

In the bowl of stand mixer, beat together the sweetened condensed milk, 3 cups of powdered sugar, and the peppermint extract. Add the remaining powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time, until the dough is stiff but still easy to handle.

Using your hands, grab a small 1-inch piece of dough and roll it into ball. Flatten the ball into a round disc and place on a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough. Place the discs into the freezer to chill for about 30 minutes.

In the meantime, melt the chocolate. Place the chocolate in a heatproof and microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the chocolate for 30 seconds, then remove it and stir. Place it back in the microwave and repeat microwaving for 30 seconds and stirring until the chocolate has completely melted and is smooth. Add the shortening and stir until it has completely melted into the chocolate.

When the patties have hardened and are thoroughly chilled, remove them from the freezer and place them on the counter next to melted chocolate. Place a large piece of wax paper next to the melted chocolate.

Place one patty on top of one fork and dip into the chocolate. Using another fork, coat the patty completely and carefully place it onto the wax paper. Repeat with the remaining patties.

Allow the patties to cool on the wax paper until hardened. To speed up the process you can place the patties in the refrigerator to chill. Keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy!

These peppermint patties last up to 2 weeks when kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator
 
Sooo yummy, makes great neighbor gifts!
 
Jenny