deliciously easy homemade granola

Crunch, crunch, crunch. Satisfying meals have crunch. Some texture too. I don't have to break a tooth, been there, done that (yes, from a piece of bought granola), but a little bit of chewing does seem to fill up the tummy. Besides yummy, having granola on hand is also indispensable. It makes for a quick breakfast, and without the preservatives, colourings, or additives found in a box cereal. I can pronounce all the ingredients (and the ingredients in the ingredients), and that makes me feel like it's actually edible too. This will make your home incredibly aromatic as it bakes. Just wait until people start pounding down the door. Don't blame them it's not their fault. But do be kind, and share! Cinnamon-Coconut Granola 4 cups slow cooking oats 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 3/4 cup sesame seeds 1/2 cup sunflower seeds 1/2 cup wheat germ 1/2 cup sliced almonds 1 tbsp cinnamon 1 tsp ground ginger 1/2 cup canola oil 1/2 cup honey 1 cup of raisins and golden berries 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Combine the oats, coconut, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, sliced almonds, cinnamon, and ginger in a large mixing bowl. 3. In a glass measuring cup, add the canola oil, and honey. Place in the microwave for 10-20 seconds to warm slightly. This will help to combine the mixture. 4. Pour the oil and honey mixture into the bowl, and stir vigorously to combine. 5. In a large baking sheet, spread the the oat mixture evenly. Place in the oven. 6. Bake for 10 minutes, and remove. Stir the mixture, and place back in the oven for 5 minute intervals. Check and stir until toasted as desired, or a half an hour in total. 7. When the mixture has cooled, add a cup of your favourite dried fruit, I used raisins and tangy golden berries. Try to eat it for breakfast, but it's just fine with fruit and ice cream too!
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scrumptious oatmeal raisin cookies

Cake is great, and so is pie. Cobbler is nice. But, I really love a good cookie. What should a cookie have to make it so very, very good? Nothing makes a cookie so very good as a little crisp on the outside with a soft and buttery inside. A little bit of surprise is also extra nice, whether it's chocolate chips, nuts, or raisins. And I'll admit that there is no comparison between homemade cookies and nearly anything bought, unless of course you can enjoy them freshly out of the oven. There has to be that little something that makes you coming back for more, yes? There has to be at least a million different versions of recipes for chocolate chip cookies, but finding a really delicious recipe for a cookie without chocolate can be a bit of a challenge. Sometimes the perfect oatmeal cookie is just what is on order. It has a little sugar, a little spice, and similarly is very, very nice. I've made these cookies for a few years now, thanks to Anna Olson, but more recently the recipe has taken a twist; when I didn't have all of the ingredients, but sometimes you just can't stop the urge to make some cookies. I use maple syrup instead of molasses, and light brown sugar instead of demererra, and a couple little tweaks here and there. Luckily, they turned out better than ever. Oh darn. I do have one apology; these cookies will not last long. Not because they will become dry or stale, but because you probably will need to make a double batch. Your doorbell will ring with long lost visitors, and perhaps even strangers. Be prepared. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies 2/3 cup softened butter 1 cup golden brown sugar, packed 1 egg 1 tbsp vanilla 1 tbsp maple syrup 1 cup flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp baking soda 2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg (preferably freshly grated) 1 cup slow cooking oats 1/2 cup quick oats 1 cup golden raisins 1. Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit. Beat together the sugar and butter, until well combined (I use an electric mixer, but this can also be done without. You will deserve at least one extra cookie straight away) 2. Add the eggs, vanilla, and maple syrup, and mix well to combine. 3. All at once, add the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix to combine, but don't overdo it. 4. Add the oats, raisins, and then combine. 5. Prepare two large baking sheets with silpats, or parchment paper. I like to use an ice cream scoop to release the dough onto the sheets, but I do not fill the scoop. I fill the scoop 1/3 to 1/2 full, and then release. Shocker, I don't even press the dough down. Just trust me. 6. Allow the cookies to bake until just barely cooked on the outside, but still quite raw on the inside, approximately 8 minutes. Remove from the oven, and squish down with a spatula. Immediately, place back into the oven. This technique helps me to keep the inside nice and soft, but the outside of the cookie will have a hint of crispness. Bake another 3-5 minutes, about 10-12 minutes in total.
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apple pie oatmeal

This morning, I decided that instead of blueberries in my oatmeal, it was time for a change. Besides, apples are in season, and I'm getting tired of the same thing every weekday morning. This is really easy, and hopefully it will power me through the entire morning! Apple Pie Oatmeal (serves 1) 1/2 cup slow cooking oats 1 tbsp wheatgerm cinnamon to taste 3/4 cup water 1 apple, chopped stevia, or maple syrup to sweeten to taste 1/2 cup plain yogurt 1. Combine the oats, wheatgerm, cinnamon, and water in a microwave proof bowl. Microwave on high for at least one minute. Depending on your microwave, you might need more time. 2. Stir in some of the sweetener of choice (you can always add more later). Add the chopped apple, and dollop the yogurt on top. Enjoy!
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