realtorlife

Best Balsamic Dressing

I know I am not alone in resolving to eat more greens in the new year! And while we should be eating more salads in general, there is no time like after all the holiday sweets and spirits to inspire us to have more veggies! I absolutely love this quick and easy balsamic salad dressing. It takes just minutes to make, keeps well in the fridge and is much healthier than typical store-bought dressings! Also makes a fabulous marinade for poultry or roasted vegetables. Check it out and see if it inspires you to make more salads!

BEST BALSAMIC DRESSING

1 tablespoon grainy dijon mustard

2 tablespoons honey

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

  1. In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix all ingredient well, except olive oil
  2. Gradually add oil while whisking with small whisk or fork
  3. Pour into a glass jar and keep refrigerated
  4. Shake bottle before use

Makes approximately 1 cup of dressing. If dressing solidifies a little in the fridge, leave at room temperature for a bit before use, or run the bottle under warm water

Enjoy!

 

 

Homemade Granola

Love granola, but hate the excess sugar and additives!?  Then be sure to check out this healthy and customizable 5 minute granola!

When you make it yourself, you can add in or leave out ingredients to customize to your family. I love that I control the sweetener, I find most commercial ones to be very sweet. A little honey or maple syrup goes along way in this recipe.

This is my take, with a slight modifications of my aunt Kallie’s original recipe!  I always use certified gluten-free oats because I have Celiac Disease. My favourite brand is Only Oats. If you have kids with nut allergies, or who will be taking this to school, you can simply omit the nuts and add in pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or even raisins or dried cranberries after baking. No rules!!

I call it 5-minute granola because it literally takes 5 minutes to put together…there is 30-40 minutes bake time, but it’s so easy and you can keep an eye on it while making dinner or surfing the web!

2.5 cups rolled oats (not quick oats)

1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

1/2 cup almonds, sliced or coarsely chopped

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

1/2 cup sesame seeds

drizzle of grapeseed oil (you could use melted coconut oil too!)

drizzle of honey or maple syrup to taste

1/2 cup large coconut flakes (add for last 5 minutes only)

 

Mix all ingredients except coconut flakes in a large bowl.

Spread in a thin layer in a 9×13 pan.

Bake at 300 for 30-40 minutes until golden,

stirring every 10-15 minutes.

Add coconut flakes for last 10 minutes.

Allow to cool in the pan, then transfer to airtight container.

Enjoy on your favourite yogurt, or add to your morning oatmeal to give some crunch and texture