whole lotta nuts granola

i first found this emeril lagasse recipe when working for a triathlete in austin as a private chef (hehe, more like glorified grocery girl). it was his favorite guilty pleasure, loaded with all kinds of protein & energy in the form of nature's candy, seeds, nuts & dried berries. really good sprinkled atop greek yogurt with fresh fruit & honey.  i'd double the recipe and take some home for my own cutie triathlete, td.  now my little one likes to help me make it... as if she needs any more energy.

mix, mix, mix that melted honey, butter & vanilla into the oats, nuts, coconut...

bake at 325, stirring every 5 mins for ~20 mins

keep it in a jar on your counter or in a baggie in your purse for a fun crunchy snack, by itself or on top of greek yogurt, ice cream, etc

Chocolate Pecan Pie

I have a gazillion recipes from the fall that I never posted - please forgive me, I know you've been waiting with bated breath ;) ha... one of them is this yummy emeril lagasse chocolate pecan pie. It's super easy & very nice! Even better with a little Blue Bell vanilla bean ice cream, but then what isn't better with ice cream. Try it if you're in the mood for something chocolate & nutty.

Ingredients:

• 1 unbaked pie shell (or make your own! I did using this Baking Illustrated recipe)
• 1 1/2 cups pecans
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 4 eggs beaten
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup Steen's 100 percent pure cane syrup
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• pinch of salt
• 2 oz melted semi-sweet chocolate
• 2 scoops vanilla bean ice cream :)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spread the pecan pieces and the chocolate chips on the bottom of the pie shell. In a mixing bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients together. Pour the filling over the pecans. Bake for about 1 hour or until the filling sets. Cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

Making the crust (or use a prepared pie shell)

Before it's baked... yum

All it needs now is ice cream :)