Sunday, May 23, 2010

granola for the last mile

granola

homemade granola was the request for teacher end-of-school gifts this year. i will package it up in quart mason jars when it finishes cooling. this next week is the last full week of school and the following week is finals.

this recipe is one that i always use and it came from the barefoot contessa's first book. (surprise, surprise.) the hardest part about this recipe is staying in the kitchen and watching it while it bakes. you have to keep turning it and watch it.

barefoot contessa's homemade granola
4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
2 cups sliced almonds
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup good honey
1 1/2 cups small diced dried apricots
1 cup small diced dried figs
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup roasted, unsalted cashews

preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
toss the oats, coconut, and almonds together in a large bowl. whisk together the oil and honey in a small bowl. pour the liquids over the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated. pour onto a 13 by 18 by 1-inch sheet pan. bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until the mixture turns a nice, even, golden brown, about 45 minutes.
remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool, stirring occasionally. add the apricots, figs, cherries, cranberries, and cashews. store the cooled granola in an airtight container.

this year has been a tremendous year for her and this year's team of amazing teachers has been the best core group of teachers that any of my three kids ever had. we are so grateful for them.

3 comments:

KathyA said...

1. I love Ina's Garten's recipes!! I think we might have talked about this before.

2. Why weren't your kids in any of MY classes!! :)

Marilyn said...

Wow, that looks delicious. I think you have a great idea for those lucky teachers!

I really love the variety of ingriedients in this recipe.

Marilyn said...

Ya know, I have an urge to throw some chocolate chips into that recipe! LOL