Intro to Cooking: DIY Granola

By Holly

Maybe because it’s supposed to be spring and it’s currently snowing outside (WTF!?), but I’ve been thinking an awful lot about Christmas recently. Then I got hungry. That’s because my go-to homemade gift for Christmases of yore has been homemade granola. What’s not to love? It’s healthy, hip, cute, and – well – tasty! Plus, it’s incredibly versatile; use it as a fro yo topping, a healthy between-classes snack, over milk for breakfast… the possibilities are endless.

If the weather’s got you down, stay in and make some of this stuff!

Ingredients:
(Serves two hungry munchers)

1 cup slow-cooking oatmeal (dry)
½ cup shredded coconut (optional)
1/3 cup raisins
¼ cup chocolate chips
1 banana
2 TBS maple syrup

Instructions:

1)   In a blender, blend the banana with the maple syrup until creamy.

2)   Mix the oatmeal and coconut together in a bowl. Add the banana puree and mix.

3)   Spread the mixture on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 300 degrees for 40 minutes, but move the granola around for even baking after about 20 minutes.

4)   Reduce the temperature to around 200 degrees and bake until dry (this might take awhile, depending on your munching preferences).

5)   Let the mixture cool. Then add your raisins and chocolate chips.

Voila! If you want to seal it away in Tupperware containers for snacking on the go, I commend you. I know mine won’t last that long.

I never thought I’d say this at the end of March but let it snow!