Salmon + Cilantro Rice Tower

Photographs certainly do not offer this dish due justice, as the taste was remarkably amazing. True, I am partial to my cooking but when a new recipe is taste-tested by a gentleman and approved, doesn't that give it a few added brownie points?? Luckily, I have not yet had to resort to bribery when it comes to sampling something I've crafted together. (Ahhhhh the beauty of having brothers in my midst!) And so, tonight's words from the 'food critic': "...hmmm...this is actually pretty GOOD...!" :)

This was a random inspiration, decided on after browsing a cooking magazine and a gourmet photo caught my eye, thus prompted some research and hence the recipe: Salmon + Cilantro Rice Tower.

Maple Nut Granola

Having acquired several granola recipes over the past months, it was time to replenish my dry goods cupboard as well as include a healthy accompaniment to those fresh summer berries. The beauty of granola is that one can be an artist of sorts: creatively combining various ingredients to make their favorite varieties. To date, I have yet to find THE 'golden granola' recipe which may inspire I keep it under lock & key... ;) But that does not stop the creativity from striking.  Hence, without further adieu, the Maple Nut Granola recipe.

INGREDIENTS:
  2 c raw oats
  3/4 c unsweetened coconut flakes
  1/2 c sliced almonds
  1/2 c chopped pistachios
  1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
  1/8 tsp ground cloves
  1/4 c unsweetened applesauce
  1/4 c pure maple syrup
  1/2 tsp almond extract

INSTRUCTIONS:
  1. Preheat oven to 275F.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together all dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the applesauce, syrup and extract. Pour wet ingredients over dry and stir to coat.
  3. Transfer all to 9"x 12" glass dish and spread evenly.
  4. Bake 35 minutes or until golden brown. Turn off oven but do not remove granola until completely cooled and set. Remove from oven and use spatula to release granola and break up any large pieces. Store in an airtight container.  Makes 6 cups.

*Note* Feel free to discover creative alternatives with nuts and seeds. I added 2 Tbsp flax and hemp seeds to the dry ingredients.  This recipe was adapted from Clean Food Revised Edition.