But I am now a proud mother of two beautiful children. I couldn't be happier. I also couldn't be busier! I have two children under the age of two, and I hardly have time to comb my hair in between changing diapers, making bottles, washing bottles, and doing endless loads of laundry. I can finally sympathize with parents, it is amazing the amount of clothes the children go through!
My newborn is now two months and one week old, and I am beginning to feel like I can breathe for a moment. Not sleep, but at least breathe.
I wanted to share this basic granola recipe. It's exactly that, the basic. Once you've got this recipe down you can vary it in so many ways! First, it uses ingredients that you most likely already have in your kitchen. Those are my kind of recipes.
Whenever I make this, I always make a double batch. I love this recipe because the granola doesn't turn out hard but it has enough crunch to satisfy me, and it's soft enough I can add it to my toddler's yogurt. Here are the ingredients you will need:
4 cups old fashioned oats
1/3 cup maple syrup (I use organic)
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
Begin by combining the syrup, olive oil, and salt in a small sauce pan and heat until warmed through (only a few minutes). Do not boil!
Combine the syrup mixture and oats in a large bowl, coating the oats. Spread the oats onto a half sheet baking sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees, for 20 minutes. Every 5 to 6 minutes remove pan from oven and stir the oats. Respread them out and return to the oven. Repeat until the oats are just golden brown. When you remove the pan from the oven the last time, some of the oats will still feel a little soft. But as it cools they will harden. Once cooled, store in a air tight container for up to 4 weeks.
Here are some ideas for variations:
- 1 tsp vanilla and 1 tsp cinnamon for added sweetness (your house will smell delicious)
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- 1 cup dried fruit (such as raisins, cranberries, bananas)
- 1/2 cup seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, etc.)
- 1 Tbsp honey for sweetness
There are many uses for this granola also. Serve 1/2 cup granola on vanilla yogurt with sliced fruit. This is how I serve it for myself and my toddler. You can also add it on top of your favorite ice cream, or sprinkle it on homemade muffins for a topping or mix in to batter.
Hope you enjoy!
