Nutty Granola

Granola...

If there was one word I wish described me, it would have to be granola.  Unfortunately, I think nutty is slightly more appropriate...

Back to granola, though. I wish I was THAT girl... The one who buys all of her clothes from Patagonia, the one who owns at least one pair of Chacos, the one who mountain bikes for fun on the weekends.  I always find myself drawn to THAT girl, envying her and wishing I was that cool.  

Sometimes, I really want to be her... As long as she shaves and doesn't smell like patchouli. 

Unfortunately, though, I am not.  

I did camp on the beach once, though.  Heck, I even helped pitch the tent at midnight. 

But I am the girl who gets rid of stress by running on the sidewalk, baking, and taking in the mall scenery... Which is why I am so glad that I can make granola. 

For me, granola is the closest thing to being THAT girl... It's comforting, yet adventurous.  It is like an explosion of texture in your mouth, but the taste is sweet and cinnamon-y.  And you never know what will be in your next bite.  

With all of this talk of granola, maybe I will go for a hike tomorrow...

Pistachios!!!!

Nuttiness... 

Granola is anytime goodness...

Nutty Granola

*this recipe can be doubled, tripled, quadrupled, or halved depending on how organic you are feeling

3 cups of old-fashioned oats

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup molasses

1/4 cup almond slivers

1/4 cup walnut pieces

1/4 cup pecan pieces

1/4 cup pistachios, hulled and skinned

1/4 cup raisins

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Mix oats, almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, and apple in a large bowl.  

3. In a separate bowl, whisk oil, molasses, and cinnamon. 

4. Pour liquid over oats and stir to coat.

5. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer.  Bake for 15 minutes or until oats are golden. 

6. Remove from oven and toss in raisins.

Enjoy with milk or your favorite yogurt (or just plain -- how granola of you...)