walnuts – Page 3 – The Pajama Chef

I’ve never been to New York City, but I know that when I do someday, Alice’s Tea Cup will be my first foodie stop. My mom owns about a zillion cookbooks, and one that I always love to browse when I’m home was created by the owners of the NYC area chain of tea shops. It’s aptly named Alice’s Tea Cup and it is full of recipes for fun teatime sweets, breakfast treats, and even good info about the proper way to brew tea. I’ve made a scone recipe from the cookbook that was just so-so [probably because I didn’t make the buttery glaze to go on top], but I wanted to give the cookbook another chance. I am so glad I did, because Alice’s Vanilla Tea-Infused Granola is simply magnificent.This phenomenal granola combines three types of nuts [almonds, pecans, walnuts] plus sesame seeds and coconut, as well as two types of dried fruit to make a nutty-sweet comination that is absolutely essentail in a good granola. It is a bit more museli-like than a traditional chunky granola, but that doesn’t detract from it’s crunch. But the real added bonus to this granola comes from its spices: the usual suspects of cinnamon and nutmeg… and vanilla tea! I’ve never used tea as a spice before, so I was a little unsure what it would be like, but it’s absolutely wonderful. The tea adds some delicate sophistication to the crunchy hippie treat [ha, ha].

Overall, this is a granola recipe that is perfect as is… but could definitely be improvised based on the contents of the cupboard. We enjoyed it served over yogurt or with milk, but as with any other granola recipe… the possibilities are endless. I can’t wait to make it to NYC to try the original version, but for now, I’m glad I can enjoy it at home when the mood strikes.

What’s your favorite granola fixings? Have you ever been to Alice’s Tea Cup in NYC? Wanna take me? 🙂

Alice’s Vanilla Tea-Infused Granola [from Alice’s Tea Cup]
click to print

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup chopped pecans
3/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/4 cup sesame seeds
2 heaping teaspoons vanilla tea leaves [I used a vanilla-cinnamon tea, and just cut open one tea bag]
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and spray a large jelly roll pan with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients except honey and butter. Mix together thoroughly, then stir in honey and butter.

Spread the mixture on prepared baking sheet, and pack down with a spatula. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping at the halfway mark. Remove granola from oven when it is golden brown. It will harden as it cools.

Break granola into chunks and store in an airtight container. Serve with milk or yogurt.

Time: 30 minutes.

Yield: about 7 cups.

Linked up with…

So, I don’t know who this Linda character is, but I sure love her Caramel Ritz Bits Crackers.

Well, wait. I lied. I suppose Linda is likely one of the authors of The Potluck Club Cookbook, is the source for this tasty treat. Found at my local library, this cookbook was a fun little book to peruse. I definitely photocopied more than a few recipes to try and this was the first gem of the bunch.

I have to admit though, when I first pulled these treats out of the oven, I had my doubts. It kind of looked like gloppy cereal. But a few minutes to cool and a quick bite popped in my mouth a minute later, I swiftly apologized to Linda because I was fully convinced that these. are. awesome. Just as she said in her book.

Of course, why wouldn’t they be??!

Crunchy crackers, flavorful nuts, and a thick, rich caramel glaze… what’s not to love?

I made these for a church event and they were gone fast–much to my relief. I guess others were not swayed by their looks but embraced their sweet, crunchy, crispy flavor. These are the perfect easy dessert for a potluck or a road trip/lunch box snack. Just a warning though: they are addicting!

Linda's Caramel Ritz Bits Crackers

Servings: 10-15
Time: 65 minutes
Print

from The Potluck Club Cookbook

Ingredients:

2 – 9 ounce boxes of Ritz Bits Crackers [either filled or the Buttery Pretzel Rounds Munchables, which I used]
1 cup chopped walnuts [or dry roasted peanuts]
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda

Directions:

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

In a large, shallow, greased baking pan, mix crackers and nuts. Then, in a saucepan, melt butter. Add sugar and syrup and bring to a boil. Cook for five minutes, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda.

Immediately pour mixture over crackers and stir well. Bake for 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and spoon out onto wax paper to cool. Break apart and store in air tight container.