granola for the new year
i welcomed the new year by getting my wisdom teeth removed. almost as awesome as it sounds. but now that the swelling is gone and the stitches are out i'm ready to calmly greet the year ahead of me. the closets are mostly reorganized, the donations dropped off and, most of all, we're doing our best to keep things simple. and that includes the food i'm making and my family is eating.
truth be told, i don't love cooking. if i had the resources i'd hire an alice in two seconds to take over all cooking and housekeeping. but, no alice will be joining us in our 650 square feet anytime soon, so i have to do what i can. and for me, it all starts with loved, simple recipes that i don't mind making and that stick around for a litte while. like granola. in fact, granola is a staple in our house. and i really don't think there is a more deliciously simple granola than that made from the recipe i inherited when i married chip. beautifully basic, not too sweet, just barely salty, and no seeds (i'm not a seed fan). i've been making it regulalrly for the past 9+ years and imagine that, like my mother-in-law, i will continue to fill our home with it's warm honeyed smell for the next 20. i've made huge batches for campouts and i've given it to friends at christmas, but mostly we just love to have it on hand at home for those cozy winter days. and every other day of the year too, really.
Granola
10 c old fashined rolled oats
2c whole wheat flour
2c wheat germ
2c coconut
1.5- 2c chopped pecans and sliced almonds
mix above ingredients in large bowl
4T vanilla
1/2c water
2c honey
1c (or less) oil
mix wet ingredients in separate bowl, add to try ingredients
and combine well. spread in shallow pans. stir gently every
15 minutes or so while baking. bake at 250 until deep golden
and almost dry, approximatley 2 hours. remove, let cool.
store tightly covered. in the refrigerator if you have room (i don't).
put milk over it and eat as cereal, top it with yogurt and fruit, eat it plain, add raisins or whatever to it. however you eat it, enjoy. enjoy the simplicity of the granola and the year ahead. or just throw it all over the kitchen like charlie does. that seems to bring a lot of joy too.
here the boy is, because you haven't seen him in awhile. he's awesome. even if he does draw all over the couch with sharpie and throw his thomas train in my face to wake me up in the morning.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 08:31PM
Reader Comments (50)
Look at that belly! Too cute. I am excited to try your recipe.
Yes, it looks like he's loving the granola. I had a belly just like that at his age. Question: do you use sweetened or unsweetened coconut?
That looks like a great recipe. I'm not a big seed fan either, so this is definitely on my to try list.
oh, that sounds amazing, just what i need to stave of mr. freeze! thank you.
the baby is delicious looking too!
Ooo. I love the granola story, but how did the wisdom teeth go? I have to get mine out soon and 34 seems too old to be dealing with this!!
oh, that luscious baby belly. i just want to tickle it!
thanks for the recipe katie. i love homemade granola, i can't wait to try this version.
i am so sorry to hear about your wisdom teeth. i had mine out when i was around 19 and it was not fun. i hope you are healing well!
Mmmmm. I love the idea of this being the year of simplicity and granola!
I can't wait to try this out. Thank you!
How did I not even know about the wisdom teeth- I'm pretty awesome at keeping up. I think Bobby is in denial about his, and it is only a matter of time for him too.
PS remember that time when I had him call you for this granola recipe because I was feeling like trash and it was one of the only things that sounded good? Well, it is chicken scratched on numerous sticky notes- so I never got up the gumption to decipher it. Bless you for the easy link instead! now I never have to write it down... wow the laziness and lack of love for little papers every where is coming out...
yum! I am definitely going to make this! Thanks for sharing!
i just discovered your blog.
you are so creative.
i'm making those dolls you made for your kids school teachers for my nieces and nephews to remember me by. :)
katie, look at that boy! i just want to squeeze him.
The granola will be made in my house tomorrow. I have been thinking about just such a perfect breakfast basic. And Charlie—I am stunned to see how big he is!
That granola looks good! I have tried to make granola, but it didn't turn out the way I wanted it too. Maybe I'll try your recipe.
Love the belly on your little boy!
Love your blog! I love to sew clothes for my girls also but unlike you I need a pattern! I check everyday to see if you've updated. Your boy is just as cute as your adorable little girls!
Katie -
This recipe looks delicious. I can't wait to try it. Charlie is so darling. Check out that awesome belly. I can't believe how much he looks like your girls. Okay, so I can believe it, but he is so cute and grown up since the little newborn when I last saw him. Thanks for keeping me entertained with your fabulous blog.
Love his belly!
There is nothing better than homemade granola. I love having some in the house as often as possible. I like to make mine with dried figs added to the mix. Yum!
Autsch! I know what you are talking about - no wisdom here left either!
Oh, I would hire an Alice immediately (we would call her Paula though), what a relief, no more cooking...
Get well soon!
hey, i like you. and your granola recipe. thanks for sharing!
i can't believe how much he looks like chip! (except the belly :) )
i get my wisdom teeth out on Monday & I am nervous! Any advice?
OUCh!
hee hee, Ruthie lost her belly and Charlie found it!
charlie is so cute. but AK!!!! a SHARPIE on the SOFA??! Makes me want to go search my drawers this minute for sharpies because I have a toddler!
looks like that sweet baby belly had his share of granola. it sounds very yum, thank you for sharing.
and sharpies? found one of my twins drawing on my car seats with a big black one, on christmas day, so i could no get too mad, cause it was christmas. you know what helped remove it...rubbing alcohol. at least a little bit.
ah, kids.