The mister has met his match. We have a new remote in the house. Night after night the same scenario takes place...I turn on my TV show, the mister picks up the remote, just when MY program is getting good, he clicks a button and before I can barely form the thought, before I can spit out the words, don't change the channel, which I would sputter in my best fall-from-the-cliff-voice, with arms flailing, before all that can take place, the screen goes blue! I don't know whether to laugh or scream as the mister frantically begins pushing every button on the 300 or so button remote...it looks like it has 300, probably has less, but I'm not about to count...and the more he pushes the madder he gets..."certain" words are let loose, pillows are tossed, the dog takes shelter, and finally, when the mister hits rock-remote-bottom, he yells for The Boy. The Boy, amused that once again he has to come to his fazshure's rescue, picks up the remote, pushes one button, and my TV show is restored. The Boy snickers as he leaves the room, the mister curses the remote one last time, and I settle in for 5 or 6 minutes of my show before the finger-clicker-happy-egit starts it all over again. I love the new remote!
Homemade granola is easy to make and it tastes SO much better than the cardboard tasting crap stuff you buy. You can add whatever dried fruits and nuts you want, so every bite has something in it you love - that's the best thing about making it yourself - it becomes YOUR granola.
Just look at all that crunchy goodness!! This is the only granola recipe I'll ever use - I've tried several recipes over the years but this one is perfect and, of course, it's from Ina Garten! Has she ever made anything that wasn't perfect?!? No, no she hasn't! This granola is really easy and one batch makes 12 cups. And just so you know, homemade granola would make a really nice Christmas gift!
Granola - Adapted from Ina Garten
4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
2 cups sliced almonds
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup good honey
1 1/2 cups small diced dried apricots
1 cup small diced dates
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup dried cranberries
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss the oats, coconut, and almonds together in a large bowl. Whisk together the oil and honey in a small bowl. Pour the liquids over the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated. Pour onto a 13x18x1-inch rimmed baking sheet. Bake, stirring every 15 minutes with a spatula, until the mixture turns a nice, even, golden brown, about 45 minutes.
Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool, stirring occasionally. Add the apricots, dates, cherries and cranberries. Store the cooled granola in an airtight container.
Last weekend I helped with a baby shower and we served yogurt parfaits, topped with granola and fresh fruit - they were as pretty as they were delicious...and what a great and healthy way to start the day! Guests at the shower took home little bags with granola, so they could enjoy it later, maybe with ice cream! The food table looked so pretty! Along with the yogurt parfaits the ladies enjoyed fresh fruit, muffins and my Ham and Egg Cups - plus extra granola was on hand for extra scooping! It was a very nice shower, and Tori received lots of beautiful things for her new baby boy, Taj. Lori was a gracious hostess and Janice helped, too, You know what they say, it takes a village!