Homemade Granola Bars

I will never buy granola bars again now that I have discovered how very tasty and easy they are to make at home.  I like to put a morning snack in my purse for those times when I am about to go sit in a two hour meeting at work and my stomach is grumbling for lunch. There is nothing more embarrassing than stomach growls in a quiet meeting. OK, I guess there could be some things more embarrassing!

I found this recipe while browsing through one of my cookbooks called A Taste of Oregon which was gift, I believe from my best friend in the early '80s.  It was published by the Junior League of Eugene. It is chock full of wonderful recipes, many using local ingredients easily found in Oregon such as seafood and fresh vegetables.

This is one of those very adaptable recipes where the extra additions can be anything that suits you.  I chose to add chopped pecans, shredded coconut and dried cranberries.  It was a wonderful combination of ingredients.  The other variation I made was to use treacle, an English golden syrup, instead of the honey.  It adds a light molasses taste which is just delicious. 

This will be a recipe I will make again and again.

Granola Bars

3/4 cups butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
4 1/2 cups granola cereal
2/3 cups chopped nuts, coconut, dried fruit, seeds

In a 3 quart pan melt butter, then add brown sugar, honey, vanilla and salt;  stir until blended.  Stir in granola and extra goodies of your choice.  Pour into a well greased 10 x 15 inch pan.  With your hands, press in firmly to form an even layer.  Bake uncovered in a 400 degree oven until browned and bubbly, about 10-15 minutes.  Watch carefully because these get dark quickly.  Cool slightly and cut into bars while still warm.

A Healthy Sundae

Our town is somewhat limited in health food options, but we do have one health food stores where we can find most of the the things we need of the organic nature. This store is called LifeSource. It is staffed by very helpful and friendly people and the atmosphere is always relaxed. Besides fresh organic fruits and vegetables, grocery items, and vitamins and supplements by the dozens, they also have fresh made food in their deli section. It is a great place for a quick lunch.

I chose to make my own granola recently as The Husband enjoys it very much and the packaged stuff never has all the things he likes and it is really expensive as far as cereal goes. So off to LifeSource I trotted and I was able to buy the exact quantities of the various ingredients in their bulk bins at a very reasonable cost.

Putting the granola together is ever so simple. Just throw everything in a big bowl, give it a very thorough stir and then spread it out on a parchment lined tray and bake. The quantities in this recipe makes about 7 cups of fresh, delicious granola. I choose to eat my granola as part of a yummy sundae which includes honey, granola and non-fat plain yogurt topped with fresh fruit.Granola

4 cups old fashioned oats

3/4 cups honey

1/4 cup canola oil

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup unsalted sunflower seeds

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup dried cherries (or any other dried fruit to your liking)

1/2 cup sliced, unsalted almonds (or any other nut to your liking)

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup coconut shardsPreheat oven at 300 deg. F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a slipat baking sheet. Mix all of the ingredients very well in a large bowl. Make sure everything is well coated. Spread granola out in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes. Watch carefully the last few minutes as this can burn easily. Let cool on baking sheet. Store in an airtight container.