Hi Guys,

If you’re like me, after day 32, 33, or maybe 34 of quarantine and no end in sight, you probably know every single item in your pantry. Most likely you’ve worn a path in the carpeting from the TV to the kitchen cabinets, scavenging for snacks. Am I right,? Yep! You probably have made umpteen click lists for your shopping needs, only to forget half the stuff you wanted. Well, the next time you click/shop, or even brave your way with gloves and a face mask to the stores looking like a suburban bank robber, I’ve got a few items you can grab and make the best, healthiest, yummiest snacking granola hands down. I call it Coco’s Granola and you’ll love it. The great thing about this recipe is that you can do so much with it once you’ve made it. Put it on yogurt, ice cream, throw it in a bowl with some pretzels, cheerios, and chocolate chips (whatever you like) and you’ve got the sweet, the salty and the crunch. Anyway you eat it, I guarantee it’s both delicious and healthy. Enjoy!

Coco’s Granola

Preheat oven to 300 degrees

3 cups rolled oats

3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt

1/3 cup of honey

1/3 – 1/2 cup of vegetable oil – more oil helps it to form clusters

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1/4 cup flax seed  (optional)

1/4 cup wheat germ (optional)

3/4 cup toasted coconut – (optional, but soooo good)

1/2 cup chopped nuts (I toast and use pecans, slivered almonds)

1/2 – 2/3 cups of raisins (any kind)

1/2 cup of dried cranberries – (Optional but gives it a little tartness)

Directions:

Toast nuts and coconut prior to granola for 10 minutes in a 300 degree oven. Take them out, let them cool, set aside.

In a separate bowl, mix oats, brown sugar,cinnamon, salt, honey, oil, vanilla, flax seed and wheat germ together. If its looks to dry, you can always add a bit more oil, but don’t over do it. Mix and stir and pat out on a cookie sheet lined with either parchment paper or lightly greased foil. Bake for 15 minutes. Take out and stir a bit with spatula and return to oven for another 5-15 minutes (the longer in, the more crunch, I usually don’t exceed another 10 minutes because you don’t want to burn so watch it).  Once out of the oven, add all dried fruits and nuts, patting extra ingredients in well (you can also use anything you like – I even add pumpkin seeds to mine).  Once it’s out of the oven, here’s the key, LET IT SIT! The longer the better. It’s not like its going to dry out. It’s granola. Anyway, after a while, gently gather it up and store in an airtight container.

If you get a chance to try it, please let me know how you like it.  Stay safe my friends!