sweet potato fries

2-3 sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into thick strips

olive oil to coat

coarse salt and ground pepper to taste

heat oven to 450.  toss all ingredients together on rimmed baking sheet.  bake for 25-30 minutes or until turning brown, tossing once during cooking.  

mayo-less tuna salad

2-3 cans tuna, drained

1/2 red onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, finely chopped

2 T. capers, chopped

1 cup red grapes, sliced in half

1 container crumbled feta cheese

1 1/2 cups kalmata olives, finely chopped

1(medium sized) jar of marinated artichoke hearts, finely chopped

2 T. olive oil (or to taste)

ground pepper to taste

mix all ingredients together.  eat plain, over lettuce greens, or on toasted bread.  

summer salad

i threw together this salad the other night based on what i had in the fridge - sometimes that works out.  this was ty's favorite so far.  the amounts are loose because i wasn't paying very close attention:

(made enough for 2, with a little leftover)

a couple handfuls of arugula

couple bunches of sunflower greens (a new discovery - yum!)

half can of chickpeas

several beets, chopped up

3 or 4 radishes, sliced

1 avocado

red wine vinegar

olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

homemade granola

ingredients: (makes about 6 1/2 cups)

1/2 cup shredded coconut (i like the unsweetened kind in bigger chunks)

4 cups old fashioned rolled out (NOT quick oats!)

1/4 cup flax seed

1/4 cup unsalted sunflower seeds

1 cup whole almonds

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

1/2 cup honey

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

1/2 cup dried cranberries (or any dried fruit)

directions:

heat oven to 350.  line a baking sheet with parchment or a silpat and spread shredded coconut on top.  bake until toasted, transfer to wire rack to cool.  decrease temp to 300, line two baking sheets with parchment.  toss together in large bowl - oats, flax seed, sunflower seeds, almonds, sesame seeds, cinnamon, and nutmeg.  in a small bowl stir together honey and butter - pour over mixture.  stir well and spread onto sheets.  bake until golden, about 25 minutes.  transfer to wire rack to cool.  break up granola and sprinkle with dried cranberries and toasted coconut.  store in airtight container.