Week 18: Easy Granola

Well, it's been too long I know. I really am back to finish this journey. My kids were requesting granola and I started out this journey with a fabulous recipe. I've actually concocted a new one that is super easy and super delicious. You can also be creative and have a different tasting granola each time you make it. Here is the recipe.

3 tablespoons olive oil
5 cups old fashioned oats
1 stick butter
dash of salt
a few shakes of cinnamon
1 cup slivered or chopped almonds or nut of your choice
4 tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup or more of craisons or other dried fruit

1. Put oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add oats and stir until brown and toasty. Add the nuts and toast a few minutes more. Careful not to burn it. Spread on cookie sheet and let cool.
2. Put butter in pan and melt. Add syrup or honey, brown sugar, vanilla, salt and cinnamon and stir until bubbly. Add the toasted oats and nuts and the craisons or dried fruit of your choice and stir and cook for about 5 minutes on medium heat.
3. Pour on cookie sheet. (I line mine with parchment paper) Put into a 350 degree oven that has been preheated and bake for about 15 minutes. Take out and let completely cool and store in an airtight container.

I'm sure you and your family will love this. We like making parfaits with a low fat vanilla yogurt. It's also great as a cereal or sprinkled over ice cream. You change the flavor when you change the nut and fruit combinations. Leave out the cinnamon if you want or you can put lots of cinnamon and leave out the fruit or nuts. Be creative. It's cheap to make and good for you and the house smells great! Hope you enjoy! I'm glad to be back and excited to find some new recipes to share with you. I will be going back to my old posts and adding the recipes soon so go back and check them out if something sounded good. Also feel free to send me a message and let me know of something special you had growing up or if you can't find an easy recipe for something you like. I will try to find your answer. Bye for now and God Bless!