I love a homemade granola recipes. Especially when it’s healthy and naturally sweetened with maple syrup (or honey). This Coconut Almond Granola is made with oats, oil (you can use coconut oil, too), and your favorite nuts and fruit. Customize it the way you like–make it your own, and add your favorite dried fruit.

Coconut Almond Granola

For our family, we never tire of dried fruit like cranberries, golden raisins, cherries, or blueberries. You can even cut up apricots for this granola recipe, into small chunks. The combination of fruit and nuts is endless, as this is a basic recipe, so perfect for gift-giving this time of year.

Why I love this recipe

M ry friend Steph shared this recipe with me years ago (like 10 years ago), and it’s our go-to snack! Oh, so good on ice cream, too! I love how food and recipes can tie us to friendships!

• It’s been a family favorite for years.
• Makes the best “homemade gift” during the holidays.
• So delicious with milk, on yogurt, or on ice cream.

Gather these ingredients:

• Maple syrup
• Brown sugar
• Vegetable oil (or coconut oil)
• Vanilla
• Sea salt
• Old-fashioned rolled oats
• Coconut
• Whole almonds, chopped
• Whole walnuts, chopped
• Dried fruit, such as cranberries, golden raisins, blueberries, or cherries

Is homemade granola good for you?

Granola is listed as a health food, but it’s often high in calories. We just eat in moderation, and enjoy the excellent source of fiber, iron, heart-healthy fats, and protein.

How do you make Coconut Almond Granola?

Steph also inspired me to start making my own granola, and once I got into the routine, it not only provided a great snack (and breakfast) for the family, but it saved us a bunch of money! Store-bought granola is too often way overpriced. And store-bought is often too sweet.

1. Heat oven to 250 degrees. Line 2 rimmed backing sheets with parchment paper.
2. Mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl, except the dried fruit (will add in later).
3. Whisk the first 5 ingredients together. Pour over the dry ingredients. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
4. Transfer the mixture to the baking sheets, baking on 2 oven levels, stirring every 15-20 minutes. After 40 minutes, swap pans on the oven racks.
5. Bake for 60-80 minutes until granola is the consistency that you like.
6. Remove granola from the oven and cool on racks for an hour before stirring in the dried fruit.

Tips and substitutions:

• Don’t use “quick oats,” but instead use the “old-fashioned rolled oats.”
• Hand-chop the almonds and walnuts, for larger chunks.
• If your cranberries and golden raisins are old (dry), soften them up in hot water.
• If you feel the recipe needs more liquid, you can double the oil/maple syrup mixture.
• Cook the granola at 250 for over an hour. You can cook it (stirring every 20 minutes) to whatever texture you like for your own household.

How do you store granola?

Using an airtight container, you can store for up to 2 weeks (if it lasts that long!)

It’s a simple little care package idea of a holiday gift, or use as a hostess gift full of homemade love! :)

More homemade gifts you may want to try while you are here:

• Hot Russian Tea Mix
• Holiday Hot Buttered Rum Mix
• Homemade Vanilla Extract
• Apple Carrot Dog Biscuits
• Homemade Kahlua
• Best Homemade Chocolate Sauce

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Coconut Almond Granola

Extra-crunchy homemade Coconut Almond Granola is a recipe made with almonds, dried cherries, and oats– naturally sweetened, and butter-free.

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Servings 24

Calories 417kcal

Author Sandy Coughlin

Ingredients

• ½ cup maple syrup
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• 2-3 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 7 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2 cups coconut
• 3 cups whole almonds chopped
• 3 cups whole walnuts chopped
• 2-3 cups dried fruit such as cranberries, golden raisins, or cherries

Instructions

• Heat oven to 250 degrees. Line 2 rimmed backing sheets with parchment paper.
• Mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl, except the dried fruit (will add in later).
• Whisk the first 5 ingredients together. Pour over the dry ingredients. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
• Transfer the mixture to the baking sheets, baking on 2 oven levels, stirring every 15-20 minutes. After 40 minutes, swap pans on the oven racks.
• Bake for 60-80 minutes until granola is the consistency that you like.
• Remove granola from the oven and cool on racks for an hour before stirring in the dried fruit.
• Using an airtight container, you can store for up to 2 weeks (if it lasts that long!)

Notes

Reposted from Dec. 2021.

Nutrition

Calories: 417kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Sodium: 102mg | Potassium: 349mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 2mg

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We love a good sweet relish, especially when it’s homemade and spread on a tuna sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes. It’s even better when it’s home-canned! For this Zucchini Relish recipe today, if you don’t have a garden, then shop the farmer’s market or farm stand for local zucchini! This recipe (otherwise known as onion relish) is a keeper–delicious to can, or halve the recipe and keep in the fridge for a “refrigerator zucchini relish.”

Zucchini Relish Recipe

Paste the recipe on your fridge, gather the ingredients, and grab a friend or 2 to make this recipe by preserving the jars. Canning is a process, so this recipe can take some time. But it’s worth every bite. This recipe brings back years of memories of canning batch after batch, with our garden zucchini from Medford, Oregon.

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I love a simple appetizer that involved little wooden skewers! And these caprese kebabs (otherwise known as a caprese salad on a stick, or skewers) are delightful to serve at a party. If you love a Caesar Salad, then you’ll love these little bites.

It’s great to get kids in the kitchen to help prepare, too.

Caprese Salad Skewers

When I know company is coming, I like to prepare my menu with the best, freshest ingredients, and make sure that my pantry and fridge stocked. For summer, these ingredients are easy to keep on hand: tomatoes, bread, cheese, and Romaine lettuce. And little skewers (or wood toothpicks).

Why I love this recipe

The last thing I want to do is run to the store, so I keep several grocery lists. One is for my Costco run, one for a regular grocery store, and the last one is for the farmer’s market. I have my favorite local markets that I like to visit, because I know that I’m playing a vital role in supporting our local farms in the area, and then, of course, I go home with the freshest produce, direct from the source. This makes me happy, and it also makes me nostalgic, thinking of my grandparents’ farm that existed on Vilas Road (in Central Point). It’s sad when I drive by now, because it’s completely gone. The garden that used to be there … the garden … so lush and full of every fruit and vegetable known to man (that could grow on southern Oregon soil).

Anyway, when we had our city garden, we have taught our kids about the freshest of the fresh! Cocktail tomatoes were the sweetest and BEST (a little larger than cherry tomatoes). If you want to use cherry tomatoes you can make these mini caprese skewers (a little different).

Gather these ingredients

I recently bought some cocktail tomatoes. I really love the size! They are bigger than cherry tomatoes, and not as big as a Roma or a Compari on the vine. They are the perfect bite, and this time I used small wood skewers to make Caprese Salad Skewers.

How do you make Caprese Salad Skewers?

1. Using a serrated knife, cut focaccia into 1 x 1-inch pieces. Drain the mozzarella balls.
2. To assemble skewers, stack a piece of bread, a mozzarella ball, a folded piece of Romaine lettuce, and a cocktail (or cherry) tomato. Repeat for 12 skewers. Lightly salt and pepper to taste.
3. Before serving, drizzle balsamic glaze on top.
4. Serve chilled with a side of Greek yogurt ranch dressing.
5. Optional to grill on high heat for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side, or until bread is light brown and cheese is melted.

Tips and substitutions:

• My favorite bread to use is a focaccia bread, but you can also use other bread. Just make sure it’s not too hard (or dry).
• And instead of basil, use romaine lettuce! Nice and crunchy!
• This recipe is awesome to make ahead of time, pull it out of the fridge, and serve!
• Serve with Ranch dressing or Caesear dressing.
• Want to add protein? Add a chunk of salami – yum!

Don’t forget the final ingredient … a drizzle of balsamic glaze! Serve with chicken, and hot crunchy bread.

Perfect for a pool party … and everyone to dip in dressing, too!

More skewer appetizer bite recipes you may want to try:

• Italian Tortellini Skewers
• Caprese Mini Pancake Skewers
• Tomato Gnocchi Apricot Skewers

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Caprese Salad Skewers

This Caprese Salad Skewers recipe is a light and fresh summertime treat to serve out by the pool, or as an appetizer for a casual dinner party! Caprese Salad on a stick is a simple appetizer that doesn’t involve cooking, fun, with fresh ingredients: cocktail tomatoes, Romaine lettuce, mozzarella, and a balsamic glaze.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 369kcal

Author Sandy Coughlin

Ingredients

• 1 loaf focaccia bread
• 12 cocktail tomatoes
• 12 small fresh mozzarella ciliegine balls
• 1 cup romaine lettuce leaves
• 12 small wood skewers
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Balsamic glaze I use DeLallo brand
• 1 cup Greek yogurt ranch dressing I used OPA brand

Instructions

• Using a serrated knife, cut focaccia into 1 x 1-inch pieces. Drain the mozzarella balls.
• To assemble skewers, stack a piece of bread, a mozzarella ball, a folded piece of Romaine lettuce, and a cocktail (or cherry) tomato. Repeat for 12 skewers. Lightly salt and pepper to taste.
• Before serving, drizzle balsamic glaze on top.
• Serve chilled with a side of Greek yogurt ranch dressing.
• Optional to grill on high heat for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side, or until bread is light brown and cheese is melted.

Notes

Reposted from 2015.

Nutrition

Calories: 369kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 570mg | Potassium: 89mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 648IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 163mg | Iron: 0.3mg

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Friends, just in time for spring and summer, enjoy this elegant Pesto Asparagus Caprese Salad Recipe as a meal itself, or a side salad for any meal.  It’s made with perfectly-cooked asparagus, red onions, tomatoes mozzarella cheese and the flavors of basil, of course. And if you want to take “caprese” up a notch for an appetizer this spring or summer? Try my Salami Caprese Charcuterie Board!

Pesto Asparagus Caprese Salad Recipe

April calls for fresh produce and pesto flavors so how about my 25-minute Asparagus Caprese Salad for Easter this year?

Don’t forget the basil leaves and fresh ground pepper! Watch the VIDEO below to see how easy it is to make!

You may also want to try my Shaved Asparagus Fennel Salad (delicious with anything grilled). (more…)

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Everyone loves a homemade food gift, so this Apple Pie in a Jar recipe is perfect to make this time of year. Stock up on gifts for the holidays, for teachers, or just a delicious homemade gifts for friends and family.

Homemade Gift: Apple Pie in a Jar Filling

Today I’m sharing my Homemade Gift: Apple Pie in a Jar Filling recipe that has been on my blog since 2010. This apple filling makes a wonderful gift to give away. That is what beautiful living is all about this time of year; giving and sharing with others.

What is Apple Pie in a Jar Filling?

It’s a cinnamon-flavored syrup that is cooked up and poured over sliced apples that are packed into sterilized jars. After the canning process, the jars beautifully sit on the counter (or shelves) ready for gift-giving!

Ingredients for jarred apple pie mix

• White sugar
• Cornstarch
• Ground cinnamon + nutmeg
• Salt
• Lemon juice
• Peeled, cored and sliced apples (make sure and have a variety, including Granny Smith for tartness)

What to do with Apple Pie in a Jar?

Open a jar and whip up an Apple Goody Dessert!

Serve warm on waffles and ice cream. You can serve it on a panacke or French toast board. There are so many great options.

Instead of cherries, add this apple pie mixture in place of cherries in this Black Cherry Almond Crescent Ring Dessert recipe. Or, add a couple jars to make this Apple Slab Pie recipe.

Here’s how to get started

Taking any of your leftover apples (or even pears), it’s always great to make sure and add in ONE Granny Smith apple for tartness.

EASY STEPS

1. Take 7 1-quart canning jars that are sterilized and allow jars to air dry. Fill the canner with water and start boiling the water to get ready for the canning process. Set aside sterilized 7 lids and 7 rings.
2. Combine the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and water in a large saucepan. Place over high heat and cook until thick and bubbly, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.
3. In each jar tightly pack the apples, adding a variety (but include one Granny Smith in each jar, if not more). Slowly pour syrup over the apples. Take a knife and slide down the sides of the jar to remove air bubbles, and then continue to cover the jars completely with the syrup to about 1 inch from the top. Screw lids on jars.
4. Carefully lower jars into the canner. Make sure tops of jars are covered by 2 inches of water, leaving space in between jars, submerged in water, and water bath for 30 minutes.
5. Remove jars from canner and place on a cloth, and tighten the rings of the lids. Turn jars upside down to cool on the counter, so jars seal.

Perfect food gift for holidays

It’s that time of year when we start thinking about others – what we gifts we can give to them, hostess gifts, or how we can show love to them in other ways. I love to show love and practice hospitality by giving gifts of food.

Most of my canning supplies I picked up from yard sales years ago.

You can buy canning supplies and a starter kit to get started!

Buying canning supplies is an initial investment, but so worth it. Finding a mentor to help you get started is another tip that I recommend if you are new to canning.

How long do the jars last?

Finally, these sealed jars can be stored for up to a year.

ENJOY!

More gift-giving food ideas, check out this 4 Holiday Homemade Gifts Collection!

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Homemade Gift: Apple Pie in a Jar

This recipe makes 7 quart-sized jars. Sealed jars can be stored for up to a year.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 7

Author Sandy Coughlin

Ingredients

• 4 ½ cups white sugar
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 10 cups water
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 7 quarts peeled, cored, sliced apples use a variety of flavors (including one Granny Smith or more per jar)

Instructions

• Take 7 1-quart canning jars that are sterilized and allow jars to air dry. Fill the canner with water and start boiling the water to get ready for the canning process. Set aside sterilized 7 lids and 7 rings.
• Combine the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and water in a large saucepan. Place over high heat and cook until thick and bubbly, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.
• In each jar tightly pack the apples, adding a variety (but include one Granny Smith in each jar, if not more). Slowly pour syrup over the apples. Take a knife and slide down the sides of the jar to remove air bubbles, and then continue to cover the jars completely with the syrup to about 1 inch from the top. Screw lids on jars.
• Carefully lower jars into the canner. Make sure tops of jars are covered by 2 inches of water, leaving space in between jars, submerged in water, and water bath for 30 minutes.
• Remove jars from canner and place on a cloth, and tighten the rings of the lids. Turn jars upside down to cool on the counter, so jars seal.

Notes

Originally posted NOV 2010

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Friends, trends come and go, with cooking, baking, clothing, home decor, and more. But we’ve found that a good chocolate chip cookie recipe does NOT go out of style. If you love the old-school cookie you grew up with, then try my Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.

Chocolate Chip Macadamia Cookies

Just in time for fall baking, we think you’ll enjoy these Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Macadamia Cookies today. Perfected by my daughter, Abby, this recipe was inspired by Clair Saffitz’ Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Oh, and take a peek at my living room, the perfect place to sit with a friend and enjoy a chocolate chip cookie and a small glass of milk :) (more…)

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This Red Cabbage Beet Slaw with Cranberries is a delightful fresh end-of-summer salad to serve as a side dish! It’s also a vegan and gluten-free recipe. 

Red Cabbage Beet Slaw with Cranberries

With the simplest ingredeints, whipping up this healthy cabbage salad is as easy as 1, 2, 3! You can make the slaw and enjoy it right away, but it tastes even better after it sits for a good half hour or more in the fridge. (more…)

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We’re in the warm-weather groove in southern Oregon, which is the perfect weather for outdoor entertaining. Today I’m sharing a delicious summer appetizer: Apricot Ricotta Honey Basil Bites.

Apricot Ricotta Honey Basil Bites

Easy to prepare and fresh in flavor, especially with the basil and sweetness of the apricots. Add the balsamic glaze for the ultimate bite!  You may also want serve these on this lunch sandwich board. (more…)

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Friends, today I’m sharing a classic salsa recipe that I have canned for years, a Sweet Smokey Zucchini Salsa Recipe. Years ago we had 12 garden beds with a lot of heirloom tomatoes. [This post is updated and reposted from 9 years ago here on RE.]

Sweet Smokey Zucchini Salsa Recipe

We “put up” 26 pints of delicious sweet smokey salsa.

I love that term, “put up,” don’t you? It sounds so … old-fashioned and lovely!

I know my Mom and Grandma talked about canning that way. :) (more…)

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This outdoor sectional sofa, a Sunset Magazine Inspired DIY Outdoor Sectional is made of cedar boards, with comfortable thick cushions. Also, if you have a skinny deck, you can make these DIY Skinny Deck Gardening Beds! This is reposted from May 2017.

Sunset Magazine Inspired DIY Outdoor Sectional

This sectional sofa offfers warmth and texture for an outdoor space, if you’re looking for an L shaped couch. Make it yourself for about $350 in two pieces. Grab the links to the cushions below! Affordable and excellent quality!

Inspired DIY Outdoor Sectional

Friends! My husband is guest-posting today! I was so impressed when he took my vision of what I wanted in an outdoor area here in central Oregon, did some research, and came up with a Sunset Magazine Inspired sectional just for me!
(more…)

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