Oats 'n Honey Granola Pie ~ 6.26.09

Remember I told you I love to collect recipes?

Here's one from the Post-Gazette... in 2004! I believe it won some sort of Pillsbury Pie Crust contest as that is the type of pie crust listed in the ingredients. You could use the refrigerated version or make your own.

I've made this about half a dozen times already and absolutely love it! It's really quick to put together, too. This sweet little pie is similiar to a pecan pie (a lot of the same ingredients). The main difference being that you use crushed up Nature Valley Granola Bars. I know they have a granola cereal out now, so I bet you could use that instead.... I'd rather take out a little aggression and whack at them with a spoon. Feels really good! As I was typing this up, I realized that I've been reading the recipe wrong! I make it with 8 granola bars- 4 pkgs!!!! Ummm, it still works and still tastes really good, so there.

Oats 'n Honey Granola Pie

1 pie crust

Filling:

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup corn syrup

1/8 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

3 eggs, lightly beaten

4 Nature Valley Oats 'n Honey Cruncy Granola Bars (2 pouches from 8.9 oz box), crushed

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats

1/4 cup chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place pie crust in 9 inch glass pie pan (I've used a 10 inch and aluminum pan and it's been fine).

In lg microwavable bowl, melt butter on high for 50-60 seconds or until melted. Stir in brown sugar and corn syrup until blended. Beat in salt, vanilla, and eggs. Stir in crushed granola bars adn all remaining ingredients into brown sugar mixture, except whipped cream. Pour into pie crust.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes or until filling is set and crust is golden brown, covering crust edge with foil during last 15-20 minutes to prevent excessive browning. Cool at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve warm, room temp. or chilled. Serve with whipped cream or ice c ream. Store in refrigerator.

NOTE: to easily crush granola bars, do not unwrap. Used handle of a spoon or rolling pin to whack 'em to smithereens!

Homemade Pita Chips~ 6.16.09

the crickets chirping over here beckoned me back.



sorry for that lapse.



and no, I haven't been all about menu planning either! a little, but not all the way there. some things just take me a wee bit more time!



thought I'd hop on and show you just how easy (and delicious) it is to make your very own pita chips for around 2 bucks plus a few pantry staples.



First you need pita! I buy whole wheat small rounds at our grocery store. They're pretty thin which I like b/c I peel the two sides apart and they make for nice crispy chips!



Here's what else you need: olive oil and kosher salt. You could certainly get adventurous and season these up with whatever you'd like. I'm pretty traditional on the seasoning b/c I like to dip them in hummus or scatter them on my salad like a crouton!



Okay, gather your ingredients...


then peel open your pitas and lay them on a big cookie sheet. Pre heat your oven to 350 degrees.


Brush the pitas with some olive oil then sprinkle them with kosher salt- you don't need much and they don't need to be sopping wet with oil. A light brush and a light sprinkle will do ya!



Next I cut them up with my kitchen shears- oh how I love my kitchen shears! You could also tear them into bite size/dippable size chips.



Scatter them on the pan and pop them in the oven for about 8 minutes.


Find your favorite dip... here are my two favorites:

Make sure you store them in an airtight container. Oh and you can use old, stale pitas for these... makes no difference!

Buon Appetito!