Next, I’ll Be Hugging Trees!

Yesterday I went to the supermarket to get food for the week. Is it me or are things getting more expensive? Maybe I’ve just started paying more attention, but I’ve seen certain items going up in price to a point where I consider them over priced. One of those items would be cereal, granola to be exact. I saw a twelve ounce bag for $8.99, and its main ingredient was oats. I’m no commodities expert but I can get a thirty two ounce bag of organic gluten free rolled oats for $8.49. From that alone I bet I can make a better tasting, cheaper granola using ingredients I want to eat. To be honest making granola is so quick and easy , the only thing easier than making granola is eating it!

When making granola there are a few things to keep in mind. The ratio of oats to mix-ins, should be 3 cups of oats to 2 cups of mix-ins. Don’t add dried fruit or already roasted nuts or seeds until after you’ve roasted the oats. Other recipes say its ok to do this but I’ve seen roasted nuts burn and dried fruit come out like pebbles or disintegrate into an unpleasant mush. Be sure to chop any large nuts or dried fruit into easier to eat pieces. You’ll need to chose a sweetener like, honey, agave syrup or maple syrup and a little oil. Oil can be a neutral flavor like canola or a stronger flavor like olive or coconut. Here’s the recipe I made using leftover raisins from the earlier scone recipe.

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• 3 cups rolled oats (not instant oatmeal)
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped raw pecans
• 1/2 cup roasted pistachios
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 brown sugar
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (don’t forget salt it brings out the flavors)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. You can also add vanilla or other spices.
• Set oven to 300 degrees.
• In a large bowl combine the oats, raw nuts or seeds and the salt and spices and mix well.
• In a smaller bowl combine the maple syrup, brown sugar and coconut oil and mix until fully incorporated.
• pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and throughly mix together.
• Place on a cookie sheet that has edges and spread mixture evenly.
• Place in the oven for 35-45 minutes stirring every 15 minutes.
• Remove from oven and add the dried fruit and any roasted nuts or seeds. Toss until it looks nice and uniform.
• EAT!

I know they say you should bake cookies when you’re trying to sell your house, but I think it should be granola. The smell is incredible! This recipe should keep for two weeks covered on the counter ( if it isn’t eaten in the first few days!). I also like adding grated coconut or flakes but I didn’t have any on hand. What you put into your granola is totally up to you, just use the proportions as a guide line. Honey makes more clumps but some people like that. Experiment and share your creation with us. The more we share the better off we all will be. Thank you for stopping by and as always, please leave any questions or comments in the box below. Until next time Boone Appétit!