I’ve been thinking about granola for a few months now. Every time I go for my favorite box of granola in the grocery store, a little voice in my head can’t stop itself from saying “you could make that! And easily…” With so much going on lately, I’ve gotten used to this repeat occurrence, simply taking a deep breath and mentally rolling my eyes, appeasing myself with something along the lines of “later”. Finally, with the oral defense complete (and successful!) I’ve had some time to myself. For the first time in months, I have been able to wake up in the morning and do exactley what I want and need! These past few days have been luxurious because I have been able to get some much needed rest, organized months of accumulation, and even watched a movie!
But homemade granola was the first thing that came to mind, again, after this big ending. I could not come up with a good excuse to not make it and why should I? So I set out on my bike with the days to-do list, stopping here and there, finished up a screen print project for my friend Abby, had a tea with friends, and finally, gathered all the materials I needed for this granola.
Now I must say, I did not grow up in a household where we ate any granola or even organic foods. My mother, who worked full time, cooked because she had to and never enjoyed it. She did make sure we had fresh fruits and veggies on the most part, but our relationship with food growing up was one of necessity, not something that was savored. So where did this craving from granola show up from? Living in Oregon? A challenge from myself? A backlash from my childhood? I am still not quite sure, maybe all three. Or, more than likely, my body has been needing specific nutrients that it has not been getting that it could get from this granola: flax seeds, whole rolled oats, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, all have amazing nutritional properties that maybe I have been needing to replenish. Granola somehow embodies sheer health, and sheer health does not mean tastes bad (like cardboard). In this case, that couldn’t be further from the truth. This granola could not have surprised me more, especially how much I liked it!
My mind was actually a little blown when I tasted the first batch! This is an amazing recipe, simple, and easy to do. I added a little bit of cardamom to give it a little bit of complexity with the cinnamon undertones.
It’s amazing how something as simple as listening to yourself (even if it only a nagging voice to make granola) can be so grounding and fulfilling. Something I keep coming back to and am constantly reminded of through different experiences is, my gut is never wrong (all puns intended!). When I listen, it is always without fail, right. But those times I choose to ignore it, things do not happen as I foresee them to and usually turn out not so great. Sometimes, my gut tells me things that may seem a little wacky at the time (gut-to-me: make this granola NOW girl!) or down right outlandish (gut-to-me two years ago: move across the country, leave all your friends and family, and start a new life NOW girl!), but I’ve learned to trust myself, my instinct/gut, and go with it. And so far, it’s worked 
.
Granola from The Kitchen Sink Recipes
3 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup coconut flakes, unsweeteend
3 tablespoons flax seeds
3 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/4 cup sunflower or pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup toasted mixed nuts, chopped (I used pistachios and almonds here)
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups mixed dried fruit (I used raisins and dried cherries and cranberries here)
Preheat the oven to 375. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the dried fruit. Stir well to incorporate. Spread the mixture on the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out into an even layer. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes (depending on the depth of goldenness you’re looking for), stirring every 10 minutes. Remove the granola from the oven and and cool completely, in its pan, on a wire wrack. Once the granola is cool, mix in the dried fruit.
ps- My favorite way to eat granola is over warm oatmeal with a dollop of plain yogurt, yum!
Have a great weekend!
