Cookbooks

I love cookbooks! The older I've become and the more I cook and bake, the more I enjoy getting ideas and inspiration from cookbooks. It's a fun collection to have and I love the way they look displayed in a kitchen space.

For Christmas I got a new book I'm very excited about. (Thanks Lindsey!) It's a cookbook my Mom has had for ages (the original came out in the late 1970's). It's handwritten and has little illustrations. It's really beautiful to read and look at. Now I'd just like to try some recipes!

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I found this cookbook when I went home last year and my Mom and I were doing a lot of food experimenting. I got it from Amazon when I went back home and I devoured it. So many great ideas, tips, and recipes.

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I saw this book in Urban Outfitters and did a little skim. I absolutely adore the layout and the photography. It's brilliant.

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Heidi Swanson is a cook genius. I love her 101cookbooks blog and her beautiful images. Now I'd just like the cookbook in my kitchen.

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Just read the cover of this book. It's a no-duh. "Protect the Earth, Improve Your Health, and Eat Deliciously" Sure!

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There are so many great cookbooks out there. What is your tried and true cookbook? What do you have in your kitchen or what do you want in your kitchen?

Honey

I love using honey in my granola. It might just be my favorite ingredient. Here are a few reasons you should love honey too:

+it soothes sore throats
+it's great for athletes and gives an energy boost
+anti-allergenic
+natural antiseptic
+natural sweetener
+helps the body rehydrate

Recently I've been curious about using raw honey in my granola, but I wanted to do some research first. I learned that what makes raw honey actually "raw" is not too far off from regular honey anyways. But...like all raw food the goal is for it to be close to it's original condition---what it was in when it left the beehive. When buying raw honey you can bet it's unheated, unpasteurized, nothing added, and nothing removed. As much as possible I'd like to get more unprocessed foods in my diet so I can get the maximum in vitamins and enzymes.

In my research I found some local honey companies that I'd love to support.
Here are a few:
The Honey Jar which was started by a 17 year old and is located North of Salt Lake City
Miller's Honey Company located in downtown Salt Lake City
Neighborhood Bee Keeping which can be ordered online

Currently in the dehydrator...my first batch of granola using raw honey. I have a feeling it won't disappoint.

testers

Thanks to all my granola taste testers.
After every batch I bag up a sample for some trusty tasters.
Thanks guys.

set it and forget it

This is by far my best and favorite batch of granola. After 12 hours in a dehydrator I was able to obtain the most ideal cluster and crunch. I love how evenly toasted it is and not flash cooked like in an oven. The low temperatures save the nutritional value and importantly the enzymes. Another plus of dehydrated foods is that it inhibits the growth of bacteria by removing the water content at a suitable temperature. What that means? Dehydrated food lasts longer.

you know what's great?

listening to The National
and making granola.

just you wait...

I'm coming back here soon with more granola delights.