Granola
At first, making granola seems completely irrational. But then you realize that every box of cereal bought at the grocery store is really just daylight robbery (except when you are buying Cinnamon Toast Crunch – this is a fair purchase). This granola allows you to add what you want and leave out what you don’t, and will certainly keep you going all morning – just like how Lucky Charms won’t. It makes a great snack, too.
Ingredients:
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 egg white
½ tsp salt
1 to 2 tsp ground spice (cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, allspice)
½ cup sweetener (brown sugar, honey, maple syrup or white sugar in a pinch)
4 cups oats (any type but instant oatmeal will work)
Up to 2 cups nuts or seeds, chopped or whole
Up to 1 cup dried fruit and anything else you care to add (see below for suggestions)
Method:
Whisk oil, egg white, salt, spices (if using) and sweetener in a large bowl. Add oats, mix thoroughly and then mix in any seeds, or nuts. Don’t add the dried fruit yet.
Spread evenly on a baking sheet. First cover the sheet with foil or parchment paper if you want an easier clean up.
Bake for about 30 minutes at 325 degrees. After fifteen minutes, pull it out of the oven and stir before putting it back in. Be careful, as granola can burn very quickly.
Once cooked, remove from oven and cool. Now you can break it up and add dried fruit, chocolate or more nuts and seeds.
This can be stored in an airtight container for over a month.