Well the kids got out of town just in time, and just before they closed the airport due to the storm. It was so great to see everyone. So much catching up to do. Much chatter, many laughs and plenty of time spent in the kitchen. Once they got all that skiing out of their systems, it was time to cook. We made stuffed manicotti, filled with roasted root veggies, veal parmesan for the non vegans, sausage subs with peppers and onions for Bill, Bobby and Hank--the football fans who were first in line when we made two trays of white pizza. They, in turn arrived bearing gifts from the North End of Boston as they arrived here via Logan airport with boxes of Italian pastries. I had forgotten just how much I miss a good Italian bakery living here in Maine now. I was in heaven ;-) One morning Nan, Susan and Jeanine wanted to make some granola to bring back home. I can't tell you how many bags of this I ship annually to these kids.
I simply love granola. Added on top of my morning yogurt with honey, sprinkled over most of the smoothies I prepare, in most of my muffins.. or just to munch on. It's all good, and so good for you. I figured, if we made some, perhaps my annual postage bill would decrease somewhat too. ;-) This is my base recipe, but feel free to add or subtract to it. Sometimes I'll add dried fruits-- cranberries,raisins,or apricots but typically you'll always find a mix of almonds, walnuts and pecans in my granola. Susan left me a recipe she found for granola biscotti, so I'm anxious to try this next. It just sounds so good to me. Healthy Granola
4 cups old fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup Canola oil
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 cup honey
1/2 cup oat bran
3/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup molasses
2 TBLS cinnamon powder
pinch of nutmeg
1 TBLS vanilla extract
1 cup each: chopped walnuts, coarsely chopped pecans, whole almonds
** optional-- 1/2 cup dried fruits: cranberries, raisins,chopped apricots, dates
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In large bowl combine oatmeal, wheat germ, oat bran, wheat bran, cinnamon powder and nutmeg. Mix in all of the nuts. Then stir in the canola oil, honey, maple syrup, molasses and vanilla until everything is well coated.
Spread evenly onto a large 12 x 15 sheet pan and bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring every ten minutes so everything bakes evenly. Don't overbake it. Add dried fruits of your choice after removing the granola from oven and it has cooled completely. This granola can be stored up to three weeks in an airtight container. Enjoy!
We're already missing you kids..love you guys-- see you again in August. xoxo
Our ski bums. :-)
5 comments:
Good morning, Jady!
I could just feel the warmth oozing from this post. You have such a lovely family. Of course, everything sounds delicious too!
There are a couple of things I miss since the big move to PA and I must admit, Italian pastries are high on my list also. Fresh fish is another thing I miss here in PA. Oh sure there's trout and such but good ol striped bass and shell fish are not one of PA's amenities.
The grand-kids would love this granola. I'm thinking of popping some into my next shipping box.
Thanks for sharing...
Sounds like you had a great time with family and had lots of yummy food to eat! My daughter loves granola. I'm going to make some up and send it to her for Valentine's Day :)
Super time Karen! It's always wonderful having them--even if they do tire us out LOL Wish we could see all the kids more often. GL with the granola.. hope she enjoys it.
Thanks Louise.. we all ate far too much ;0)!
Nice family fun times - that's what it's all about. I used to make granola regularly back in the day, and your post is making me think to restart making it now.
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