Quinoa-Pumpkin Seed Granola

• 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup whole and/or slivered almonds
• 1/4 cup flaxseed
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/4 cup dried cherries, cranberries, golden raisins, and/ or snipped dried apricots

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl combine quinoa, pumpkin seeds, almonds, and flaxseed. Heat honey for 20 seconds in microwave. Stir in oil, cinnamon or salt. Pour over quinoa mixture and stir to combine. Spread onto a baking sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes, stirring twice. Add dried fruit and let cool 15 minutes. Break any large chunks into small pieces and store in airtight container. Store up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.


Serves 13 (1/4 c.); 191 calories.

VERDICT:  My batch is a little burned--I cooked it extra in an effort to dry out the water from rinsing.  Even if not burned, I don't think I'd like it--it's very birdseed-y.  Toss.

Classic from the Vault: Spicy Cranberries

• 1/2 c. sugar
• 2 inches stick cinnamon
• 1 c. fresh cranberries

Combine 1/4 c. water and sugar in small saucepan.  Add cinnamon.  Bring to boil, stirring till sugar dissolves.  Add cranberries and boil rapidly till berries just pop, about 2 minutes.  Chill.  Remove cinnamon.  Serve in hollowed out lemon cups.  Makes 3/4 c.

VERDICT:  This recipe is marked "really good" in my mom's 1968 Better Homes and Gardens Cooking for Two cookbook.  It is really good, and has been made for Thanksgiving for many years.

Vegetarian Chili

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 1/2 c. chopped celery
• 1 1/2 c. chopped green pepper
• 1 c. chopped onion
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 28 oz. cans tomatoes, cut up
• 3 15 oz. cans beans (kidney, black, northern, pinto, and/or garbanzo), rinsed and drained
• 1/2 c. raisins
• 1/4 c. red wine vinegar
• 3 to 4 tsp. chili powder
• 1 Tbsp. snipped parsley
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. dried basil
• 1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. ground allspice
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1/4 tsp. bottled hot pepper sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 12 oz. can beer
• 3/4 c. cashew nuts
• 1 c. shredded Swiss, mozzarella, or cheddar cheese (optional)

In a 4- to 6- quart pot heat oil.  Add celery, green pepper, onion, and garlic.  Cover and cook over medium heat about 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.

Stir in undrained tomatoes, drained beans, raisins, vinegar, chili powder, parsley, sugar, basil, oregano, cumin, allspice, salt, pepper, hot pepper sauce, and bay leaf.  Bring to boiling, reduce heat.  Simmer, covered for 1 1/2 hours.  Stir in beer.  Return to boiling; simmer, uncovered for 30 minutes more or to desired consistency.  Remove bay leaf.  Stir in cashews.  Sprinkle cheese atop each serving, if desired. 

Serves 8 (1.5 cups); 333 calories.

VERDICT:  The raisins and cashews were subtle; the beer definitely added flavor.  Keep.

Inside-Out S'Mores Brownies

• 1/2 c. butter
• 2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1 c. sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 t. vanilla
• 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
• 9 honey graham cracker squares
• 1 cup tiny marshmallows

Preheat oven to 350°.  Line a 11x7x1.5" baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease the pan. Set pan aside.

In a medium saucepan, melt butter and chocolate over low heat.  Remove from heat.  Stir in sugar, eggs, and vanilla until combined.  Stir in sugar, eggs, and vanilla until combined.  Stir in flour.

Spread half the batter in the prepared pan.  Top with graham crackers (divide as needed to evenly top the batter.)  Sprinkle marshmallows on the crackers, but do not let them touch the sides of the pan.  Carefully spread the remaining batter on the marshmallows and graham crackers, covering them completely.

Bake for 25 minutes, or until set.  Cool completely on a wire rack.  Cut into bars.  Makes 15 brownies.

VERDICT:  This was going swimmingly (cupboard ingredients, one pan, uncomplicated directions) until it came time to "carefully spread the remaining batter on the marshmallows and graham crackers, covering them completely."  Pain. in. the. neck.  I didn't seem to have nearly enough batter, and it all sank between the marshmallows, making it impossible to spread.  Grr.  I haven't even tasted these yet, and I already say toss.