Granola

Last year I started something I jokingly called the "oatmeal challenge." The premise was simple. I was going start eating healthier, and part of this was going to be an oatmeal based breakfast every morning - except Sundays, then I have a pancake and jam based breakfast.

I primarily eat three things for breakfast: regular oatmeal, oatmeal bars (homemade natch), and granola. This recipe is a mix of a few things I read on the internet, and is perhaps overly sugary. But I eat it with plain yogurt, so I figure it balances out.

I usually use a mix of sliced almonds and pecans in my granola. I know that walnuts are good for you so sometimes I throw those in too - but I don't like the taste as much. I experimented with hazelnuts once. I found them too overpowering for granola and they are a pain to chop.

Additionally, this recipe is not clumpy because I mix it so much when I bake it. If you like granola clumps, try cooking it on a slightly lower heat and not stirring.

Granola

3 cups old fashioned oats (the ones that take 10-15 mins to cook)
1 cup chopped nuts
4 tbsp vegetable oil (or melted butter)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup water (or apple juice, but I wouldn't buy some just for this)

1. Preheat the oven to 350.
2. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour onto a large sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
3. Cook in oven, stirring granola every 10 mins, until granola is toasty brown and crunch, about 30-40mins.
4. Let cool on the sheet pan and store in air tight jars.

For me, this is about 3 weeks worth of granola - so I know it keeps at least that long.