Grains & Butter are Perfect

I'm reading this book called "Nourishing Traditions" that is all about eating traditional foods for health rather than stylish "low-fat" "health" foods. I won't get into it too much, unless you call me and then I will blabber in your ear for a looong time all about it, but essentially this book explains that butter is a perfect food that is easily digested and should not be feared. And that is why this is my new favorite book. This lady loves natural animal fats of all kinds, and fermented foods and drinks (AKA duck fat, full fat yogurt, kimchi, and kombucha, to name a few). These are the things I love! Give me a drink with some weird cloudy stands floating in it and I'll be happy as a clam.

I have always felt that butter just HAS to be good for you, and now I have found someone who is on my side. My grandmother is not afraid of butter. If she is going to have a piece of toast, she is going to have a nice thick spread of butter along with it. She is my hero, my inspiration, my role model, and so it makes sense that we both connect over a nice stick of real butter.

But anyway. The other thing this book reminds us all to eat is whole grains. I love me some grains, and I can't stop eating them lately. Last night I made mujadara. I could have sworn I wrote about making it a while back but I can't find the post. Mujadara is one of my favorite vegetarian dishes. It is made with rice, lentils and caramelized onions. I make mine with wheat berries instead of rice, and serve it with feta cheese and lemon juice. Last night I ate it with tomatoes and bitter greens right out of the back yard.

For today's grainy delight, I made granola. I could eat granola every day, and from now on I probably will. Here is my recipe, full of grains and joy.

JENNY'S SWEET & SALTY GRANOLA

2 cups organic steel cut oats
1 cup organic rye flakes
1/2 cup coconut flakes
3 T flaxseeds
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup almond slivers
1/3 cup dried cherries

3/4 cup raw agave
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cardamom

Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. Combine wet ingredients and spices in a small bowl, and then pour over the granola mix. Stir very well and spread on a large baking sheet. I baked mine in a large braising pan so that I could stir it. Bake for 1 1/2 hours, stirring often at the end. This stuff burns quickly and easily, so be careful.