Granola

Foster's Homemade Granola
2 Cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 C. shredded sweetened coconut
1 C. sliced almonds
1 tsp kosher or sea salt
1/4 C. canola oil
3/4 C. maple syrup
1/4 C. honey
1/2 C. dried cherries or cranberries
1/2 C. dried apricots, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 275.
2. Spread oats, coconut, and almonds on a large baking sheet with sides. Sprinkle with salt and bake for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the ingredients are lightly toasted but not yet golden. Transfer the ingredients to a large bowl.
3. Increase oven temperature to 350. Lightly grease the baking sheet.
4. Stir the maple syrup, oil, and honey together in a small bowl, pour over the oats, nuts and coconut, and toss to coat evenly. Spread granola onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes until the granola is just crispy and golden brown, stirring several times while baking. Let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet, breaking up any large clumps while it's still warm.
5. When the granola has cooled completely, add the cherries and dried apricots and toss to mix.

Valentine's dinner

Jason and I thought that instead of going out to eat this year we'd make a Valentine's dinner at home. We shipped the kids over to Grandma's and created a feast. It was fun because I didn't plan it like I usually plan a menu for a special event. Instead we just thought of what we wanted and winged it. Jason went to Costco and bought the seafood that looked good to him (scallops, shrimp, and crab legs) and I was craving steak so we bought two small fillets. We rounded it out with a light salad and some asparagus. We didn't make dessert, but had some chocolates in bed. We don't normally eat like this but it was fun to splurge, and it still would have cost less than going out to eat at a fancy restaurant.
My favorite part was the crab legs--and we did the least to those, just heated them in the oven and dipped them in butter. YUM! The scallops were also delicious. We marinated them in lemon juice and olive oil for about 15 minutes before we seared them and served them over some lightly dressed greens.
I love food. I also love my husband, so it was an all around great night!

Turkey meatloaf

I got this recipe from Michelle, originally from Health magazine. It is a delicious meatloaf. I usually bake it in a meatloaf pan as opposed to shaping a loaf.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped (1 1/2 cups)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/3 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons ketchup, divided
• 1 3/4 pounds ground turkey, 97% lean
• 3/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 large egg white, lightly beaten

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375°. Heat oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, broth, and 1 tablespoon ketchup; transfer mixture to a large bowl, and cool.

2. Add turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, egg white, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to mixture in bowl, and mix well. (Mixture will be very moist.)

3. Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and coat lightly with cooking spray. Form the turkey mixture into a loaf, and place on the pan. Brush meatloaf evenly with remaining 2 tablespoons ketchup. Bake 1 hour or until thermometer inserted into center registers 170°. Let meatloaf stand 5 minutes before serving.