Granola

With Den being in a major exam ALL. DAY.LONG. I wanted to make him a little snack to help keep his energy up. I originally pinned a recipe for pumpkin granola *drool* but realized I needed my can of pumpkin for my cupcakes this weekend - we all have our priorities. Cupcakes>Granola.
Anywho, So I looked around and took a bit of ideas from a bunch of different granola recipes and made my own. It's quite tasty and super easy. It is a great snack for the car or park and will be great with yogurt or milk! I had all of these ingredients in my pantry so that's what I used but this is more of a method than a set recipe. Add whatever nuts, spices or dried fruit you like!

What you need:
2.5 cups old fashioned oats
1/2 cup pecans
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 t Cinnamon
1/4 t nutmeg
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 t vanilla
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup applesauce
1 T canola oil
Handful of cranberries
Handful of chocolate chips

How to do it:
Mix oats, pecans, sunflower seeds, spices and salt together. In a separate bowl stir together brown sugar, vanilla, honey, applesauce, and oil. Pour liquid over oat mixture. Mix with hands and squeeze oats together to make clumps and make sure all is coated with liquid mixture.
Spread out on pan lined with parchment paper. Roast in 350 for 20 mins.
When granola is almost cooled, sprinkle cranberries and chocolate chips over top. Store in airtight container.

Breakfast Casserole

There are lots of breakfast casseroles floating around these days but I had never heard of it or tried one until my bridal shower, way back in 2008. I was lucky enough that someone made one for my shower and gifted me with their recipe. I believe they called it "breakfast pizza" but I kinda morphed it into a casserole and added some more things to it to make it my own. It is super simple and really delicious. The leftovers are awesome. It's perfect for breakfast or lunch or dinner! It's even appropriate for guests and in laws ;-)

What you need:
1 can crescent rolls
6 eggs
Dash of milk
1 bag shredded potatoes
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 package turkey or pork breakfast sausage

What you need to do:

Preheat oven to 375. Spray a casserole dish (9x13) with non stick spray. 

Roll out crescent rolls and place inside. No need to separate them, just roll out and put down - it fits perfectly!

Brown and break up sausage on the stove top until no longer pink. Add on top of crescent dough. 

Just showing you the new turkey breakfast sausage I found - IT'S AWESOME!  Definitely like it more than pork, especially for this casserole. 

Add as much, or as little, potatoes on top. (I add almost the whole bag! The leftovers are great for a frittata!)

Beat eggs and milk, add S&P. Pour evenly over potatoes.

Add cheese and put into oven until eggs are set - usually 35 minutes. Broil if top needs to be browned. 

Cut into squares and serve! Again, the leftovers rock so make sure you keep them if you have any!

Broccoli Cheddar Dip

This dip is deliciously amazing. I found this recipe back in the day in an old pampered chef book my mom had. No clue where that little book is now but luckily we made it so much that I memorized the recipe. I also double the original recipe because my sister and I would always eat a single recipe in one sitting.
I've made this dip for a Christmas party, football party, a weekend night where Den and I just wanted to eat appetizers - oh, you don't have those kind of nights? You should. And you should make this dip while you're at it. It's rich, creamy, bursting with flavor and addicting! I will forewarn you though that I forgot to take a picture of it after I baked it only because I had guests and we were drinking and...well it was eaten before I even thought about taking a picture. Oh well!

What you need:
- 2 cups chopped broccoli florets (I use broccoli crowns, usually 2 bunches)
- 4 T small diced red bell pepper
- 4 T small diced onion
- 2 minced cloves of garlic
- 1/8 t black pepper or more to taste
- 1/4 c parmesan cheese
- 1 cup mayo (you know I use Dukes only!)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups cheddar cheese

*I sometimes go a little less on the mayo, sour cream & cheese. Maybe a 3/4 cup sour cream, mayo and 1.5cup cheddar cheese just to make myself feel a bit better? It can't hurt.

Chop onions and peppers (I only had orange bell at the time!)

Chop chop chop up all your broccoli florets!

Add in everything and mix mix mix!

Put in a casserole dish (I use my corningware 1.5qt dish)

 - Bake at 350 until bubbly, usually 30 minutes or so. You can add a sprinkle or parmesan cheese on top too. I usually serve this with roasted pita chips. Pita, cut into  triangles and then broiled until crisp (keep an eye on them!) I've also served them with corn chips or tortilla chips and all are good because this dip is just so.very.good. Next time I make it I'll try to get an "after" baking shot and put it up :-)