Granola X 8

Master Recipe (makes 1 quart)


2 C. old-fashioned oats
1/2 C. wheat germ
2 T. dark brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 C. extra ingredients & flavoring (see below)
1/4 C. maple syrup
3 T. flavorless oil
1 T. water

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat to 275.  Spray 9 x 13 metal pan & set aside.
1. Mix oats, wheat germ, brown sugar, salt and extra ingredients (except for dried fruit) in a bowl.
2. Bring syrup, oil, water and any flavoring below to a simmer in a saucepan over low heat.  Drizzle over oat mixture and stir to combine.
3.  Pour mixture onto prepared pan.
4.  Working a handful at a time, squeeze cereal to form small clumps.  (If you add a smidge of water, the cereal will clump better.)
5.  Bake for 30 minutes.
6. Stir in dried fruit, and continue to bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes longer.
Let cool and store in airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Extra Ingredients & Flavorings

1.  Classic Granola
Extra ingredients:  1/3 C. chopped walnuts, 1/3 C. sweetened flake coconut, 1/3 C. dark or golden raisins.
Flavoring:  1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

2.  Crunchy Granola
You can replace the 1/4 C. of maple syrup with 2 T. each of maple syrup and molasses.
Extra ingredients:  1/4 C. slivered almonds, 1/4 C. sunflower seeds, 2 T. sesame seeds, 6 T. currants
Flavoring:  None

3. Tropical Granola
Add the coconut along with the cashews and banana chips
Extra ingredients:  1/4 C. chopped, roasted, unsalted cashews, 1/4 C. chopped banana chips, 1/4 C. sweetened flake coconut, 1/4 C. chopped dried pineapple
Flavoring:  1/2 ts. ground ginger

4. Granola with Cherries and Almonds
Extra ingredients:  1/3 C. sliced almonds, 1/3 C. sweetened flake coconut, 1/3 C. dried cherries
Flavoring:  3/4 tsp. almond extract

5.  Trail Mix Granola
Extra ingredients:  1/4 C. chopped roasted unsalted peanuts, 1/4 C. sweetened flake coconut, 1/4 C. dark or golden raisins, 1/4 C. mini chocolate chips*
Flavoring:  none
*stir chips into the granola only after it has completely cooled.


6. Orange Berry Granola with Pecans
Extra ingredients: 1/2 C. chopped pecans, 1/4 C. dried cranberries, 1/4 C. dried blueberries
Flavoring:  1/2 tsp. finely grated orange zest

7.  Pear Granola with Hazelnuts and Vanilla
Extra Ingredients:  1/2 C. chopped hazelnuts, 1/4 C. chopped dried cherries, 1/4 C. chopped dried pears
Flavoring:  1 tsp. vanilla extract

8.  Orange Granola with Pistachios, Mangos and Dates
Extra Ingredients:  1/2 C. chopped roasted pistachios, 1/4 C. chopped dates, 1/4 C. chopped, dried mangos
Flavoring:  1/2 tsp. finely grated orange zest and 1/4 tsp. allspice

Homemade Microwave Popcorn

1/4 cup popcorn kernels
3/4 tsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1 Brown Lunch Bag
1 Stapler and 2 staples (I don't even staple the bag shut - 2 folds are enough)

Directions

In a small bowl, mix together all the ingredients, so that the kernels are coated nicely with the oil and salt.
Pour the kernels into the bottom of the lunch bag.
Make two 1/2 inch folds from the top of the bag creating a seal.
Using Two Staples (no more, no less!) staple the bag shut (optional)
Lay the bag on its side - allowing the kernels to spread out in a single layer.
Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes.
When the kernels are popping only more than every 3 seconds - it is done. Anymore and it will burn!