Indulge In {Mascarpone & Honey Crostini}

Last week I showed you a super simple and delicious pea and prosciutto salad perfect for entertaining on the fly. Sticking with the simple and delicious theme, this week I'm sharing a sweet crostini that is a great option for either an appetizer or dessert. Topped with savory mascarpone cheese and a drizzle of sweet honey, your guests will be begging for more. Crostinis make a perfect party treat because of the simplicity. They can be topped with whatever you have laying around like tomato, avocado, or prosciutto. Here's how to make your own..

:: Ingredients ::
1 French Baguette
1 Tub Mascarpone
1 Jar of Honey

:: Directions ::
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice baguette into 1/4 inch pieces and toast till golden brown, approximately 3-5 minutes
2. Spread each crostini with mascarpone and drizzle with honey
3. Serve immediately and enjoy!

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Dining Uncorked {Yummy Granola}

My stepmom has been making granola for years and it's delicious. But, I've always felt I didn't have the time, or really know how, to make granola. I've found these recipes and as amazing as they look, there are just too many ingredients or too many steps. Until I found this recipe on The Gracious Pantry. It's a clean eating granola and only contains 5 ingredients! Seriously it's amazing. All you need to make it is mixed grains, walnuts, unsweetened applesauce, honey or agave, and cinnamon. It's the perfect amount of sweetness and crunchiness. My new favorite way to eat it, besides on its own, is by putting peanut butter on an apple and dipping it in the granola. It's sweet, crunchy, healthy, and delicious. Here is the recipe so you can see what I'm talking about!

Clean Eating Granola
(Makes approximately 3 1/2 cups)

Ingredients
3 cups mixed grains (rolled oats will work fine as well)
1/2 cup walnuts – chopped
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1/4 cup agave or honey
2 tsp. cinnamon

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Step 1 – Put your grains and walnuts in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2 – In a separate bowl, mix all remaining ingredients with a whisk.

Step 3 – Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the grains and blend well. At first, it will seem as though there isn’t enough wet stuff, but keep mixing. It will eventually blend well and coat evenly.

Step 4 – Spread over a parchment lined cookie sheet.

Step 5 – Bake for 45-60 minutes, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes so it doesn’t burn. It’s done when it feels dry and has a nice golden brown color.

Allow to cool before serving.

Enjoy!

Dining Uncorked {Marshmallow Goodness}

This past weekend I took a little time to experiment with fun, easy desserts! I've figured out recently that when it comes to desserts, people don't want  a huge serving anymore. They just want something that they can have a bite of and completely enjoy! This started out as a bite size s'more. A marshmallow, dipped in chocolate and rolled in graham cracker crumbs. It was good till R. decided to kick it up a notch and heat up some peanut butter. It then evolved into utter deliciousness. Imagine a Reece's Cup with a graham cracker crust and marshmallow center. That's exactly what this was and it was out of this world amazing! I suggest you try ASAP!

Ingredients:
-Chocolate
-Peanut Butter
-Marshmallows
-Graham Cracker Crumbs

Directions:
-Heat the chocolate until melted. I used one of those little tubs designed for melting.
-Heat the peanut butter for appx. 30 seconds or until warm and stirable.
-Pour the graham cracker crumbs into a bowl
-Dip one side of the marshmallow in the chocolate. Dip the other side in the peanut butter.
-Dip one side of the marshmallow into the graham cracker crumbs and enjoy!