addendum :: tips for making the best granola

as a follow-up to a recent post on granola, i give you some good tips on making GREAT granola. it took me a while to get it "down" and i think i've these tips will help you if you are experimenting in the kitchen.

* spread the granola as evenly as possible on your baking sheet
* always add vanilla--it's just the right thing to do for maximum tastiness
* always add dried fruit AFTER baking (seems obvious, but just in case)
* take it out of the oven before it's too brown and crispy--take it out when it is still soft and it will crisp up as it cools
* store it in air-tight container and you're granola will last about a month

if you come up with any great combinations, do let me know.

happy baking!

breakfast of champions :: granola!

around here, we love our granola. especially the boy. he can't get enough of it. the sadness that comes over his face when he asks for "granolaandyogurtpleasemommy" for breakfast and i have to say "sorry, kid, we're all out!" it's pitiful.

the result is that we make lots of granola. by the boatload. we've tried many combos, but this kid's got simple tastes, so we have a simple (but yummy!) recipe. the nice thing about granola is that you can add whatever you like to it--walnuts, cranberries, sunflower seeds, coconut--whatever! it's your world. customize it like crazy.

here is our basic recipe which is super yummy as is:

(Freakin') Sweet Pecan Granola

3 cups rolled oats (not the quick cook stuff)
1 cup pecans, chopped or bashed up with the mortar and pestle
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup light-brown sugar (not packed down)
2 tbs. veggie oil
1 tbs. pure vanilla extract (the higher quality the better)

1. position your oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. preheat to 350 degrees. line to baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. in a large bowl mix the oats, pecans, cinnamon and salt.

3. In a small pan, combine the brown sugar with 1/4 cup of water. bring to a simmer over medium heat. stir until sugar is dissolved. stir in the oil and vanilla. remove from the heat and pour over the oat mixture. stir until well combined.

4. divide the mixture between the 2 baking sheets and spread as evenly as possible. bake for 15 minutes, stir and switch pans to the opposite oven racks. bake until lightly golden brown, about another 10-15 minutes. the oats will feel slightly soft, but will crisp up as they cool.