Ingredients 1/4 cup maple syrup 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 4 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1/4 cup honey 1/3 cup creamy unsalted almond butter 1/4 cup butter 4 1/2 -5 cups old fashioned rolled oats 1 cup unsalted almonds (raw or roasted), chopped coarse 1/2 cup unsalted sunflower seeds (raw or roasted) (Additional 1/2 cup unsalted chopped nuts or seeds of choice: pecans/walnuts/chia seeds – OPTIONAL) 1 cup raisins 1/2 cup dried sweetened orange slices, chopped into pieces (or mango/cranberries/apricots)
Instructions Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a baking sheet (approx. 9 x 13)* with parchment paper or foil & nonstick spray. Melt butter, almond butter & honey over low heat, stirring to combine. Remove from heat. Whisk maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla & salt into a large bowl. Whisk in oil. Stir in butter/almond butter/honey blend. Fold in all the oats and nuts one cup at a time until combined and coated. Transfer oat mixture onto the baking sheet. Spread evenly and compactly, pressing down mixture with a stuff metal spatula.* Bake 35-40 minutes until lightly toasted, rotating pan once halfway through. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack for 1 hour to set. Break granola into pieces as desired. Fold in dried fruit.
I didn’t set out to make Our Family Granola a tribute to Trader Joe’s, but that’s
where I found many of the delicious products that went into this recipe.
Here is the ultimate flavor combination to create Hot Braised Shrimp at home, and it’s so easy! Also called Szechuan Shrimp, Hot Braised Shrimp is a delightful blend of shrimp, onion, garlic, ginger and spicy tomato flavors, stir fried to succulent perfection.
FEEL FREE to DOUBLE the SAUCE
Having lived in Los Angeles for over thirty years, I have a short list of favorite Chinese restaurants I frequent according to the dishes I feel they each do best. I know where to go when in the mood for everything from Chinese Chicken Salad (City Wok in Studio City) to Dim Sum (Ocean Seafood in Downtown LA), and I used to head directly to Ho Toys in Silver Lake/Los Feliz area for a big plate of Hot Braised Shrimp. However, since Ho Toys closed years ago, I have searched in vain for a dish to compare with theirs – UNTIL NOW (pats self on back).
Please give this recipe a try yourself, and let me know what you think!
Sauce
½ cup water
1 Tablespoon rice wine/sake
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1-2 teaspoons chili bean paste
4 -5 Tablespoons ketchup
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
2 Tablespoons water mixed with 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
Directions: Sauté onions in oil until tender, 5-10 minutes.
Add garlic & ginger and sautée 2-3 minutes.
Add shrimp and braise, 2 minutes.
Remove shrimp and set aside.
Combine all Sauce ingredients in pan.
Stir to thicken.
Add shrimp to finish cooking, approx. 2 minutes.
This Cinnamon “Super Swirl” Bread gets its “Super” status from extra layers of sweet & buttery cinnamon sugar filling throughout the loaf. What a delicious difference
