Apple Honey Granola

Isn’t it funny that so many food words have a weird connotation in the real world? For example, you can’t mention peas to a three-year-old without getting laughed out of the room. And if someone is crazy, they can also be described as out to lunch or fruity.

All the words that describe this apple honey nut granola have a connection to something that may or may not be relevant. For instance, the apple of my eye is the one that pleases me the most. Which, at this moment, just might be this crunchy, flavorful cereal. We often call our loved ones “honey,” and if you want to address this delicious granola by that name I won’t tell anyone.

The angelic sweetness of apples, cinnamon and honey are anchored to earth by a sprinkling of hearty nuts. If someone is a “nut,” they are either crazy or they have different political views that the one who is calling that person a nut. Informally, we might say “I go nuts when my team wins!” to indicate that when our baseball team finally has a victory, the unexpected pleasure drives us to exhibit erratic jumping and emit strange whooping noises. When my mom saw me making this granola, she went nuts and started dancing in the kitchen.

Finally we arrive at the word “granola” itself. A person who is considered to be “granola” is connected with nature (and often smells like nature!),  loves the great outdoors, and above all is health-concious. If you consider yourself to be “granola,” or just want a healthy breakfast to fuel your busy day, then try chowing down on some granola. (The edible kind, that is!) This granola is made with whole grains and nutritious walnuts. (I wanted to use pecans, but didn’t have any around. Either-or both- will suffice.) Furthermore, it’s sweetened only by organic honey. To really bring out the flavor of the honey, an extra drizzle is added partway through baking. To complement the honey flavor is a flourish of yummy golden raisins and crisp apple chips, covered in sugary cinnamon bliss! Definitely a must try.

Apple Honey Granola

based on this guide from ambertheblack.com

makes about 2 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup old fashioned oats (I used Bob’s Red Mill brand 5 grain rolled hot cereal)
• 1/4 cup walnuts (or pecans if you prefer. Or go nuts and use a combination!:) )
• 1/8 tsp salt
• generous splash of cinnamon
• 3 tbls honey (+ another tsp for the extra drizzle)
• 3 tbls unsweetened applesauce (I used Tree Top brand no sugar added applesauce)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• about 12 pieces Seneca brand Crispy Cinnamon Apple Chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil, and spray with nonstick spray.

In a large bowl, combine oats, nuts, salt and cinnamon. Stir.

In a pan, combine 3 tbls of applesauce and 3 tbls honey. Mix well. Heat to medium, stirring occasionally, until mixture begins to bubble. Reduce heat to low for another minute or so.

Remove from heat. Pour wet mixture into dry mixture. Add vanilla. Stir to coat all the dry ingredients with the wet.

Pour this mixture over prepared cookie sheet. Spread it thinly for even baking.

Bake granola in preheated oven for about 13 minutes, stirring at the halfway point. After 13 minutes, drizzle in that extra teaspoon of honey and mix it around. Return to oven for another 8 minutes or so, until granola is golden brown and crunchy.

When granola has cooled slightly, add in the golden raisins and the apple chips. (I broke the apple chips into smaller pieces for better munching.) Toss it all together, and you’ve got yourself a sweet granola worth smiling about!

Destination…Greek yogurt!

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