going granola

I think I've successfully proven that my house is not always full of fun.  However, some moments make me smile - like making homemade granola this morning.  

The word "granola" seems hard to wrap a 3-year-old mouth around; Obi-2 (who just turned three) says, "Yay!  We're making gorilla!"  His 4-year old brother responds with a little monkey dance in the kitchen, and I join in.

In case that sounds like fun to you, I'm sharing the recipe... for the granola.  The monkey dance is strictly make-up-your-own.

Left Coast Granola

(Makes about a gallon-sized container full.)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

In a large baking dish (like a sheet-cake pan), combine:

3 C oatmeal

1/2 C oat bran

1/2 C almond meal (or substitute more oat bran)

3/4 C sliced almonds

Bake 15 minutes.

Raise oven temperature to 350 degrees.

Stir into the mixture:

3/4 C apple juice concentrate

1/4 C packed brown sugar (yes, this is optional, if you prefer less sweetener in your life)

3 T cooking oil

Bake 25 minutes.

Remove from oven and stir, then cool a bit.   Stir in 8 oz dried cherries or cranberries.

Store cooled granola in a zip-top bag or airtight container.  

Enjoy!