I'm usually useless in the morning before my first cup of coffee and some nice quiet time to warm up for for the day. Yesterday, for some reason, I was ready to go as soon as I got up. Before the coffee was even brewed, I had set up what I needed for some nice toasty granola for breakfast.
This recipe is loosely based on one from Everyday Food. I've been tinkering it with it every time I make a new batch. Today's flavor combo is apple cranberry.
Apple Cranberry Granola
Ingredients
2 cups of quick oats
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup sweetened dried coconut
1/2 cup dried apple slices, roughly chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries
3 T honey
2 T vegetable oil
Procedure
Set oven to 350 degrees F
Combine oats, coconut, almonds and apple slices on sheet pan
Mix honey and oil together in small bowl
Drizzle honey mixture over oat mixture
Toss with your hands to distribute
Pop into oven for 15-20 minutes
Give it a stir 2-3 times
Remove from oven and toss in dried cranberries
Let your nose and help you decide when it's ready. The oats should begin to smell toasty and take on a nice golden color.
I like to sprinkle on a teensy tiny pinch of sea salt when it is done baking.
I store the latest batch of granola on the counter top in a heavy glass canister. It's convenient to leave a scoop in the jar. I like to eat it dry for an afternoon snack. Sweets will eat a bowl with milk as an after work snack. It's also great sprinkled over yogurt, ricotta or ice cream.
