High Protein Granola

3 cups large flake oats

3/4 cup ground flax meal

1 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds

1 1/2 cup almonds, I only had whole so I smashed them a bit

3/4 cup protein powder of choice, I use  Good Protein Vanilla 

3 tbsp Cinnamon.  We like it cinnamony

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup maple syrup 

1/2 cup olive oil

Preheat the oven to 165°c

In a large bowl mix all the ingredients.  Stirring until evenly combined.

On 2 line baking sheets add half the mixture.  Spread out crumble evenly and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.  Let cool and then place in an air tight container.

Christmasy Nocino Experiment part 1

Trying to turn this:

Into a liqueur 

I'm a 2 gallon glass jar that I happen to have around I added:

3lb 2.5 oz quartered Green English Alnuy babies.  When cut through you don't encounter any shell picked on June 16

 2026.

5 smallish stickers of cinnamon

15 coffee beans, I used Creekmore's French Indonesian Exceptionally Dark

6 cloves

1/2 Star Anise, I'm not a fan but in small quantities.

Zest is both a lemon and naval orange 

1 Vanilla bean split lengthwise 

Pinch fresh grated Nutmeg 

1.75L Alberta Pure Vodka 

Wash walnuts and quarter.  Add spices and sit in sunny spot.  Shaking daily for a week and then occasionally for 40 to 60 days.  That digferes from many recipes so that might change.

Making a simple syrup of 500ml sugar to 500ml water, once cooled add to strained liquid.  Seel into bottles and age for several months in a cool dark place.  Traditional opened on Christmas.

Observations:

1)English Green walnuts babies have a citrusy scent, green skin and white flesh.  I didn't notice a pronounced stain from cutting but it might need to oxidized to stain.  I'll see how The cutting board fares. 

2) I added a full orange when the original recipe added 1/2 an orange but it smells divine.

Earl's Thai Chicken salad

I have loves this salad so much.  I have alsoade it so hot that my spicy loving husband found it too hot but I, a mild to possibly medium spicy lover, could not stop eating it.

Dressing / Marinade 

-¼ cup Ketjap Manis (sweet soy)

-2 tbsp Sambal Oelek (spicy garlic chili sauce)

-2 cloves garlic, grated

-½ tsp sesame oil

-juice 1 lime

I using uncooked chicken, marinate in some of the dressing.  Otherwise just use a roasted chicken.

Cooked Asian noodles

Romaine lettuce, roughly chopped

Cilantro

Roasted salted Peanuts

Mint

Toss altogether and top with dressing.  So good you'll eat the whole thing yourself.  No need to share.  I mean, you could but why bother.

Pizza Beans

2 onions, diced

4 to 6 garlic cloves sliced

¼ to ½ tsp chili flakes

1 tbsp salt replacer

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp basil

Salt and pepper 

2 cans navy beans, drained and rinsed

2 cans fire roasted diced tomatoes 

1 to 2 tbsp tomato paste

1 tsp better than bouillon 

½ can water

Handful kale or spinach

Most of a 340g ball mozzarella, grated

Smoked cheese, measure with your heart

4 small pepperoni sticks, I used a sweet type

1 can green pitted olives, roughly chopped 

Grated Parmesan to dress it.

In oven safe pan saute with some pan lube, onions, garlic, spices until onions are soft.  

Add tomato paste and cook and mix for a minute or 2.  

Add diced tomatoes, beans,water and bouillon. Simmer with kale for a bit.

Top with cheese, olives, and pepperoni. Broil into bubbly. Top with Parmesan 

Serve with bread, toasted or not.

Enjoy!