Happy Breakfasting!

This weekend I planned on using my new Kitchenaid mixer to make some bagels.... but it turns out they might take longer to make than I expected. And Saturday evening rolled around and it just was not going to happen for Sunday morning breakfast since Jason and I had 6 loads of laundry to do. So bagels... they will be for next weekend. And I blog about it if they turn out good.

So instead, I bring you healthy-tasty-breakfast again... this time in the form of granola.
Yes, I've made it on here before, but there's no reason for me to not to do it again. It's the perfect breakfast and snack. I like to eat mine in milk mostly, or sometimes add hot water and turn it into tasty oatmeal and sometimes add vanilla yogurt and fruit. Yum.

Granola is so easy too. You don't really need to know your way around the kitchen to make this. My recipe was made up on the fly with the dried fruits and nuts I had in my pantry. Experiment with this one! Make it a new year goal! If you like granola... you won't regret it.  It's so versatile. Add the nuts/dried fruits you enjoy. Toss in some chocolate chips if you like. Shredded coconut perhaps? No one's stopping you. Plus, it's much cheaper than buying it from the store... and you'll know exactly what's in it because you're the one adding the ingredients. (No preservatives or chemicals here!)

Ingredients
- 3 cups toasted whole oats
- 1/4 cup blanched almond slivers
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1/4 walnuts
- 1/4 cup raisins (soaked in water)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (soaked in water)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- a few liberal dashes of cinnamon

Steps
1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees
2. Soak cranberries and raisins in water
3. Combine all dry ingredients into a bowl
4. Drain water from the cranberries and raisins and add to the dry ingredients
5. Add honey, extract and olive oil
6. Mix completely making sure brown sugar isn't in any clumps
7. Pour granola onto a cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until oats are golden brown
8. Cool and store granola in a container with a lid


The granola should last for a week. Enjoy!