Granola Revisited With No Snow or Wind!!!

Two weeks ago Cate Nolan posted my in depth report on Granola: The myth, the man, the legend...

Okay, there is no man or myth or legend, but there is progress!

I wasn't able to post pics that week because of the storm and massive power outages, but this is worth having fun with because I've streamlined the recipe!!!

1. Granola is expensive.   If it's natural granola, it's even MORE EXPENSIVE.
2. It's easy to make Granola. Mix... spread on parchment-lined pan. Bake in slow oven.
3. It's crunchy. Anyone who's ever gone on a diet, or gone juicing, or protein shaking, knows that most of us like to chew stuff.
4. My family loves me even more with this discovery.
5. It's a shame it took CRUNCHY GRAINS to garner their respect!!! :)

So here we go:

Vanilla Spice Peanut Granola

4 cups chopped peanuts
6 cups oatmeal (I used the quick minute oatmeal)
1 cup sunflower seed kernels
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 tablespoon nutmeg

Mix all of those dry ingredients together in large (like L-A-R-G-E bowl)

Warm on stove or in microwave:

1/2 cup honey
1 cup real maple syrup
1/2 cup Coconut oil

Heat until boiling. Remove from heat and add 2 Tablespoons Vanilla

Drizzle over dry mixture. Mix thoroughly. Spread onto parchment lined cookie sheets or roasting pans about 3/4 inch thick..... Press down lightly. Bake in slow 275° oven for fifteen minute intervals, stirring and pressing mix back down lightly.  In my oven it takes about 35 to 45 minutes to get the granola turning "golden".... and when it does, remove from oven and let set until cool.

Once cool break granola into chunks or pieces.

Store in airtight container.

You can add dried fruits (cranberries, raisins, apricots, etc.) but I didn't want to add empty sugar carbs into the mix. This was just enough to be a fun, chewy snack throughout the day and crazy popular with kids and grown ups alike.

The original recipe had mixed nuts... the dried, roasted peanuts worked great, enough crunch and nutty taste, and the perfect salty backdrop.... and dry roasted rocks!

So here are some pics when we were all "settlers" during the storms:

When the toddler's favorite toy rolls under the fridge, it takes a village!!!

And stovetop cooking was the only option... but we were so happy to do it! Lacey, AKA: Stovetop Mama!

No hot water? No problemo! We heated water on the stove like our ancestors did, so we could do dishes... and there were a lot of dishes!!!! 

And there were snuggle spots set up all over the place!!!

PILLOW FORT! And sunshine!!! :)

We've still got snow.... It's melting slowly, Mother Nature has her sights set on dropping to single digits early today, but then she's going to up the ante back to the 40's by the weekend...

And maybe (MAYBE????) we'll say goodbye to winter!!!

Cate Nolan, I love that pic you shared yesterday! I snagged it and put it on facebook because every Yankee and Midwesterner I know is feeling the same way!!!

MELT THE SNOWMEN!!!!!! 

MAN THE BLOW DRYERS!!!

WHATEVER IT TAKES!!! :) Because the Ruthinator is ready for spring!!!!

Popular inspirational author Ruth Logan Herne loves God, family, country, dogs, cats, kids, babies and she is living her dream of writing sweet books that makes folks laugh... and cry.

Visit her on facebook (where she loves to talk!) or her website ruthloganherne.com or @ruthloganherne on Twitter.... here at the cafe or in Seekerville! But most of all... she'd love to share her love for books, faith, romance and life with you.

Complete book list on her website or here at Amazon....  Ruthy on Amazon!