Tuesday, December 4, 2007

"Fancy" Granola

This weekend I made granola. I have two granolas that I do. One I think of as "everyday" granola (because it has fewer ingredients and is easier) and the other is "fancy". This one is the fancy. I figured we could use something sustaining around here to power us through the holidays--and granola is one of the healthiest things that Faith is willing to eat, so I'm all about that. Even little Dieter was eating it as he sat in my lap on Sunday jarring it up with me.
As you can see from the recipe below, this granola has everything but the kitchen sink in it, but no fruit. I actually like that because the fruit lovers can add raisins or whatever and the non fruit lovers can take it plain. And what do you think about granola as a holiday gift? Instead of taking cookie plates around to the neighbors? I'm thinking about that--it would be easier to do in bulk and a change of pace--maybe even more welcome.

Fancy Granola

Mix in a large bowl:
6 c. oatmeal
¾ c. sunflower seeds
¾ c. sesame seeds
1 ½ c. pecans, chopped
1 ½ c. sliced almonds
¾ c. pine nuts
1 c. shredded coconut
¾ c. toasted wheat germ
½ c. granulated lecithin
salt to taste
1 ¼ c. nonfat dry milk
1/2 c. brown sugar
½ t. cinnamon

Separately, combine in a saucepan:
½ c. honey
¼ c. corn syrup
¼ c. apple juice
½ c. vegetable oil

Bring to a boil. Remove from heat.
Pour the hot liquid over the dry ingredients and mix well with a wooden spoon to combine.

Spread the granola mixture in two rimmed baking sheets. Bake at 300 for 30-40 minutes, until light brown and crunchy [mine crisps up upon cooling, not while still baking]. Cool and store in airtight containers.

_____

So yesterday I was off to work on a Monday morning with my usual optimistic outlook. I thrive on rhythm and routine and Monday mornings are just a part of that for me. But I noticed the van was very low on gas, and because Ken had taken the kids to the zoo on Saturday, I wasn't sure how long the light had been on. I started to get a little nervous so I pulled over a few exits before my usual exit and got gas. No problem, right? But then I could not. get. back. on the freeway. I waited at a light for what must have been 10 or 12 minutes. No kidding. All the other directions of traffic went several times while I just sat there at a red. Arrgh!! As you can imagine, that put me late to work--significantly. But that's not all. When I got very close to my school, the engine started sputtering and the "check engine" light came on! Arrgh! Arrgh!! I was really keyed up by the time I got to my office. Well, I called Ken and he is always super calm in these situations. I was mildly freaking about not being able to give up the van for two days to have it serviced, etc, etc. and he calmly advised me just to call the Honda dealership and make an appointment to have it checked out. And you know what? After I did that I felt much much better. In the afternoon, Ken and Dieter drove down to get me in the truck and we had unanticipated family time driving back up together. Dieter in his carseat in the truck is so much closer to us than he is in the van. I liked that. But for a change he was pretty quiet, so I actually got to talk to my husband. And the timing worked out beautifully--we were able to get dinner for Faith, drop it off at her dance rehearsal, and pick up Rainer only about 20 minutes later than usual--and we got to pick him up together as a family. I really liked that.

Now I am driving my old Accord until the van is repaired. It's ugly (paint peeling) and gross, but somehow reassuring to be back in there. Back to basics. Faith loves it because it's her childhood car. So all is well now.

3 comments:

Blair said...

this sounds really good, I'm always looking for a good granola recipe, you have inspired me.

Kate said...

wow, sounds like it was quite the day... at least you had the accord to fall back on, and man oh man, I LOVE homemade granola.
yum.

Roxanne said...

Granola is one of the few healthy things my fussy 14 year old will eat, also. Of course I have to put his batch aside before any seeds, nuts or fruit go in it. I'd love to get granola and we've given it as a gift before but I find it to be very pricey to make in large batches.
Hope all goes well with your van.