I haven’t been a food blogger long enough to know what goes down in the fall, so it’s safe to say this is my first year experiencing the pumpkin phenomenon. While I didn’t get the memo, I do read other blogs, and everything is pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret; you may be alarmed, so you probably want to sit down for this. Here it is: I’m not a fan of pumpkin, and with six little words, I have probably just ousted myself from the food blogging community. Obviously, this little tidbit of knowledge is way worse than swearing or dirty jokes; it’s downright sacrilegious, but there you have it: the truth. I don’t like pumpkin.
In the pumpkin’s defense, I’ve never been one to go with the flow, and when possible, I like to defy the societal norm in odd little non-violent ways (peace, love and unicorns over here). Plus, and most importantly, I don’t think I’ve ever really eaten pumpkin, except when it comes in the form of a pie, which means its previous home was a can. Now I’m not knocking food that comes from a can (alright, I kind of am) since I do use canned artichokes, beans and even tomatoes in a pinch, but pumpkin in a can freaks me out.
Also, I don’t understand what a pumpkin pie is all about. You see delicious, and I see a gelatinous blob of brownish flavored goop. Seriously, what is that? It’s not jello, it’s not pudding, it’s not cake: it’s pumpkin. Bleech. Maybe if I branched out and had pumpkin in a different form and from the actual plant, I might enjoy it, but until then, I’m pumpkin adverse.
While I might not be a pumpkin addict, I do love the Fall. I like seeing the change of seasons and watching the foliage turn red, brown, yellow and orange. I like raking up the leaves (or using my cool new leaf blower: move over ghost busters) and then jumping in the huge pile I’ve just accumulated. I love a good sweater dress with hip ankle boots and funky tights. I seriously enjoy a warm bowl of soup next to an ooey gooey grilled cheese sandwich. I love all these things, and when it comes to fall flavors, let’s just say, I’m all about the apple. Even though Ohio’s state fruit is actually the Paw Paw (say what?), we’re really big on apples. To me, Fall means apple cider, apple pie, and fresh crisp clean apples eaten raw (bet ya can’t do that with a pumpkin).
So move over pumpkin (my title finally makes sense) and make way for the bold, the brave, and the beautiful Apple. Ta-Da! Apples rock, and there are one million three hundred and seventy-six varieties; ok I just made that up but there’s a boatload, and I didn’t feel like researching this one (I do actually research some of my more shocking claims). What I can say with certainty is apples are fabulously healthy. Hello? Ever hear “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Just in case you need more proof, here’s a few more reasons to get down and eat some apples (fist pump for list form and calming sigh for alpha order):
- Alzheimer’s Prevention
- Asthma Help
- Bone Protection
- Diabetes Management
- Lower Cholesterol
- Lung Cancer Prevention, Breast Cancer Prevention, Colon Cancer Prevention, and Liver Cancer Prevention
http://blog.wellwisdom.com/health-benefits-of-apples/
http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/10-health-benefits-of-apples.html
Guess what else? They are pretty much the easiest thing to eat. Wash and bite. No cooking necessary. But, if you did want to cook them, well then by all means, go for it and try my latest and greatest concoction: Apple Pie Granola. Say hello to my little friend.
I started working on this bad boy two weekends ago, and I think I finally reached perfection (read publishable) this past weekend. It’s still granola and comes with all the things we know and love: yummy soft baked oats, chopped nuts galore, packed with our lovely omega threes, and the flavors of fall: cinnamon and apples. This bowl of granola will envelope you like a warm hug, embrace you like a long-lost lover or truly just taste über phenomenal. Go make this one, and then add a dollop of vanilla yogurt, and you’ll send your taste buds into overdrive.
Note, while the yogurt may visually appear to be a scoop of ice cream accompanying your pie, it’s not because there’s no comparison between the two. Now if you wanted to eat your granola on top of some ice cream, I wouldn’t judge. In fact, I’d probably recommend it. Just remember to wear a sweater and button up because you don’t want to catch a cold. It’s fall people!
- 2 cups Rolled Oats
- 2 Tbsps. Wheat Germ (or Flax Powder)
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups nuts: chopped Walnuts, chopped Pecans and sliced Almonds.
- 1 tsp. Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp. All Spice
- 1 tsp. Vanilla
- 1/4 cup of Olive Oil
- 1/4 Maple Syrup
- 1 large Apple, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup dried Cranberries
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl: oats, wheat germ, nuts, cinnamon, nutmeg and all spice.
- Mix in wet ingredients one a time fully incorporating each into the mix: vanilla, olive oil and maple syrup. Mix in apple pieces.
- Place granola on a baking sheet in a large pile. Do not spread out. Cook for 25 minutes stirring at the halfway mark (13 minutes). For crunchier granola, cook longer.
- Let cool for 30 minutes. Once cool, add dried cranberries.
- I usually make a double or triple batch so I can snack all week long. If you don’t trust yourself to snack in moderation (i.e. you eat the entire batch in one sitting), put the granola in serving size bags.
This post had me laughing out loud. I will still read your blog even if you aren’t a pumpkin fan. Especially, since I have been loving all of the apple recipes that I am seeing. I am saving them all for when I go apple picking next month, and this looks mouth watering. Although I don’t usually make granola because I then proceed to sit and eat the entire thing in one sitting. I will plan to share : )
You’re going apple picking: such fun. You’ll have to pick some for me and definitely try the granola. Just parse it out in serving size bags (that’s what I have to do!) to keep yourself in check.
So I’d totally pick pumpkin every time, but this still looks good! And I do love Ohio apples. 🙂
Ohio apples really are the best!
I love pumpkin but agree that the blog world is a little pumpkin crazy this time of year. I also love apples and will be making the granola asap. Thanks!
I hope you make it. You’ll have to let me know what you think, and thanks for stopping by.
See, I’m the weird one who doesn’t really like apples (unless they’re cooked)! I’ll take pumpkin over apples, but I definitely think that there are other, more flavorful squashes. I’m waiting for acorn….
Oooh, acorn would be good. In this recipe, the apples are cooked so you might be ok.
I don’t actually like pumpkin pie, but I do like pumpkin puree in things. Especially if it’s homemade – roasting your own is SO much better than canned.
This granola looks awesome – I really love that you used wheat germ!
I’m going to have to roast one eventually just to see what all the fuss is about, and wheat germ is completely underrated.
I’m a fan of pumpkin, but not nearly as much as I see on food blogs. I pretty much stick to pumpkin bread and add some to yogurt….but otherwise, i can do without it in oats, pie, lattes, etc. Apples on the other hand, I always love! (except in pie for some strange reason). Looks delicious!
I forgot about pumpkin bread; yeah that’s good stuff.
I can’t believe you don’t like apple pies though; they are pretty much my favorite (at least this time of year).
Hahaha! Girl, you had me rolling with this one! And even being the die-hard pumpkin lover that I am (sorry), how in the hell am I supposed to read this: “This bowl of granola will envelope you like a warm hug, embrace you like a long-lost lover…” and NOT want to make this recipe?! You my friend were MEANT for advertising! Wait, what do you do for a living?
Love the pics…especially the first one with the contrast of the red apples! And?…is that vintage Tupperware I spy?
Yes it’s some vintage Tupperware. I got it for Christmas one year and since I now buy oats like they are going out of style, I get them in bulk and fill up the Bin.
Nope, never been in Marketing. I actually manage an Accounting department so numbers are where it’s at for me… and trying to be a good example/leader for my people.
YES! I am not alone!! I just…don’t understand pumpkin! I love sweet potato, I love squash. Pumpkin? Ehhhh, I’d rather not. Not when there is any other food on the planet I could be eating instead. But apples? I’m in! Wash-and-eat is my style. Or sometimes I’ll omit step one. If I’m in a hurry (or feeling lazy).
Hallelujah…you DO exist!!!
We are a rare breed, but we CAN be found!
I can’t wait to try this recipe. Thank you for sharing. How much would you say is a serving size?
A serving size for me is enough to make me feel full. Ha. 🙂
I probably eat around a cup at a time with some Greek yogurt. It keeps me happy and satiated for at least a couple of hours. I suspect a standard serving sizes, comparable to those on packaged food, would be about half a cup. Hope that helps.
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