simple granola, revisited

I've gotten into making my own granola again lately, and with this cold we've been having, there is nothing quite like the warm, cozy smell of butter and honey wafting through our little apartment. Baking is lovely any time of the year, but I find it to be especially comforting in these bleak wintry months that presently stand between us and the springtime.

This is my favorite recipe. My favorite. There are countless granola recipes out there, and I am picky...very picky when it comes to this stuff. But this one is great. Not too sweet, toasty, crunchy, and infinitely adaptable. Plus, I can put coconut in it...as is one of my latest obsessions--putting coconut in/on everything. Perfect. I also added a little orange zest to this last batch I made, and oh goodness it was delicious. Citrus zest is fantastic, and it adds so much. So I think you should make some granola, or just bake something...it'll warm you right up, body and soul. All I need now is a fireplace...

Simple granola 
This is just the basic recipe...a blank canvas for any kind of creative spin you want to put on it. use your favorite spices, nuts, and dried fruit--make it your own.

4 c. old-fashioned oats
1/2 c. raw almonds, chopped
1/3 c. raw pepitas
1/4 tsp. fine sea salt
1/4 tsp. orange zest (optional)
1/3 c. flowery honey
4 tbsp. butter or coconut oil
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. shredded or flaked coconut
dried fruit, etc.

Preheat your oven to 325 and find a large rimmed baking sheet

In a small saucepan, melt the butter/oil and honey together over medium-low. Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla and orange zest, if using.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, pepitas, salt, and any other spices you're using. Pour the honey mixture over the dry ingredients and stir very well to make sure everything gets coated with the sweet goodness.

Spread your oat mixture onto the baking sheet and put in the oven. After 10 minutes, remove the pan and stir the granola. Place the pan back in the oven and stir every 5 minutes after, until the oats are fragrant and lightly toasted. It should take between 20 and 30 minutes total. Also, if you're using coconut, add it when you think there's about 10 minutes of baking time left, so it doesn't get too dark. You can also just stir it in after the granola is done baking.

Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. Stir in dried fruit and whatever else you want to add. Enjoy!

ideas...be creative!

pistachios & cherries
macadamia nuts & dried papaya
pecans & dates
hazelnuts & chocolate chips
crystallized ginger & cranberries
dried figs & apricots



"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like the fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars."
--Jack Kerouac