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Pepitas

PUMPKIN SPICE GRANOLA

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I’ve Been Holding Back

I’m going to tell you a secret. This is something I’ve been holding back from you for fear of judgement. Are you ready for it? I don’t like pumpkin spice lattes. I know, it seems almost un-American but I’m hoping you won’t judge me. Seriously though, what I’ve learned over the years is that I very much enjoy pumpkin spice in all sorts of other foods. Pumpkin bread? Sign me up! (In fact, I’m working on my own recipe for a loaf right now.) Scones? Score! Cheesecake? Yes! Just please keep it out of my coffee.

Spoonful of granola over a bowl of granola.
Warm flavors make this pumpkin spice granola an all time favorite.

Pumpkin Spiced Granola

My foodie brain has been stuck on pumpkin spice for weeks. That being said, I’ve also been trying not to overindulge in baked goods. I mean, we haven’t even hit Halloween yet, let alone the major baking holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas. So, I’m easing into this craving with pumpkin spice granola. Eat it as cereal or add it to yogurt for a parfait. For next level breakfast, mix in some dark chocolate chunks and sprinkle it over some toast with peanut butter or even over French toast. Get creative and let me know how you use this delicious pumpkin spice granola!

Bowl of granola.

Tips

  • You can substitute the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice for 1 tablespoon of pumpkin spice blend.
  • Store granola in the freezer to keep it fresh and crunchy longer.

Pumpkin Spice Granola

Warm flavors make this the perfect granola for Fall.
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Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups old fashioned oats
  • 1 cup raw, unsalted pecan halves
  • 1/2 cup pepitas
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • Optional: 1/4 cup dark chocolate chunks

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 300°F.
  • In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together. Spread mixture out on a parchment lined sheet pan. Bake 1 hour.
  • Let cool before serving. If adding in dark chocolate, stir in after granola has cooled.
Keyword Granola, Pumpkin Spice, Pumpkin Spice Granola

Looking for more granola recipes? Try these out!

Turmeric Granola

Vanilla Almond Granola

KALE SALAD with LEMON VINAIGRETTE

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What is your go-to when you really don’t want to cook? Maybe I should back up a bit. What are the staples in your fridge or pantry? The items you know you can always make a meal out of in ten minutes or less? My staples include kale (don’t roll your eyes at me), chickpeas, tortillas and eggs. At my laziest, I will toss together a kale salad. The toppings vary as far as which cheese or seeds I might sprinkle on top but I always include chickpeas for protein. My other go-to quick meal option is a breakfast taco. I live in South Texas and down here, there is no room for not loving breakfast tacos.

I get it that there are plenty of people who don’t like kale. Heck, there are plenty to mock it and shout their hate for kale from the rooftops. However, I think those people either haven’t actually tried it OR it wasn’t prepared well for them. In raw form, it can be really tough and fibrous. If the stem isn’t removed, you’ll feel like you’re gnawing on a tree branch. HOWEVER, if prepared well, it is delicious and has lots of nutritional value. At the very least, it is worth trying. If you still don’t like it? Hey, more for me!

Tips

  • I created this recipe as a side salad. However, you can top it with chickpeas, a hard-boiled egg or even grilled chicken to turn it into a meal.
  • To make this recipe go even faster, you can use a store-bought vinaigrette instead of the one I created for this salad.

Kale Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

My go-to salad recipe – perfect as a side salad or turn it into your main dish.
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Course Salad

Ingredients
  

  • 5 large handfuls kale, destemmed and torn into pieces
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup shaved parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tablespoons roasted & salted pepita seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

For the Vinaigrette

  • juice of 1 lemon
  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Place kale, lemon zest and salt in a large pan with 1 tablespoon of water. Sauté 2-3 minutes or until kale is bright green and slightly tender. Remove from heat immediately and put kale in a medium bowl.
  • Toss kale with pepitas, parmesan and red pepper flakes until ingredients are evenly distributed.

For the vinaigrette

  • For the vinaigrette: whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl. Drizzle over salad as desired.

Honey Date Nut Bars

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Honey Date Nut Bars - Slice Of Honey Blog

Last week we had family in town for Easter. I had every intention of cooking a couple of vegetarian dinners but ultimately did not cook one single meal at home. I have no regrets though! Ultimately, the time I would have spent cutting vegetables or creating a sauce was spent having amazing conversations. I love cooking but I love quality time with family even more.

Honey Date Nut Bars - Slice Of Honey Blog

A couple of days before our guests arrived, I made these nut bars. I am definitely a grab and go breakfast kind of person. Even as a child, I did not eat a big breakfast. I’m so glad I had these on hand because they provided all of us with a quick, light breakfast or snack when we needed it. You’ll notice that there isn’t any fruit or chocolate in this recipe. It is so hard to find a granola or nut bar without these ingredients which is why I decided to create one of my own. If I really want chocolate, I’ll go grab a cookie. For a light, grab-and-go breakfast, I’ll stick with these nut bars.

Honey Date Nut Bars - Slice Of Honey Blog

Tips:

  • A candy thermometer is recommended for getting the honey to temperature. However, you can also let it get to a rolling boil and then drop a small amount of the hot liquid into a cold cup of water. The honey should become firm and when you pinch it with your fingers it should have very little give.
  • If you aren’t a fan of almonds or macadamia nuts, feel free to sub out for your favorite combination, just keep the measurement ratios the same as what is given in the recipe.

Honey Date Nut Bars - Slice Of Honey Blog

Honey Date Nut Bars

Makes 12 bars

 

2 cups roasted, unsalted almonds

1 cup roasted, unsalted macadamia nuts, broken into large pieces

3 pitted medjool dates, chopped

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup pepitas

2/3 cup crispy rice cereal

 

Directions:

Put almonds, macadamia nuts, pepitas, dates, rice cereal and salt into large bowl and set aside.

In a medium sauce pan, bring honey and vanilla to a rolling boil, stirring constantly until you reach 300°F.

Pour hot honey mixture over nut mixture, stirring to quickly mix the two.

Spread nut mixture evenly over parchment paper lined 9×9 pan. Let cool completely before cutting and serving.

Honey Date Nut Bars - Slice Of Honey Blog