Granola

Granola

4 c. old fashioned oats

1/4 to 1/2 c. brown sugar

1 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. salt

1 c. coconut

1 c. sliced almonds

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. honey 

Combine in a large bowl:  oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, coconut and almonds.  

In a saucepan or microwave: melt the butter, stir in the honey.  Cook until blended together, no need to boil.  Pour this mixture of the oat mixture.  Stir well.

Spread the granola onto a greased or parchment lined cookie sheet.  Bake at 325 for 20 to 25 minutes.  Stir after 10 minutes of baking.  

Cool. Store in an airtight container.  Keeps for 4-6 weeks.  

If you want to add other nuts or seeds add to the oat mixture before baking.  

If you want to add dried fruit or raisins add them after it is baked and cooled.  

A great topper for homemade yogurt.  

There are lots of yummy options.  

Golden Grahams S'mores

Diane Brinkerhoff shared this Betty Crocker recipe with us on the 4th of July.  It is very addicting and messy!!  But so worth it!

Golden Graham S'mores
8 c. Golden Grahams™ cereal
5 1/2 c. miniature marshmallows, divided
1 1/2 c. milk chocolate chips
5 T. butter or margarine
1/4 c. sugar
1 T. water
1 t. vanilla
Grease 13x9-inch pan with butter. Measure cereal into large bowl.
Reserve 1 cup of the marshmallows. In 3-quart saucepan, heat remaining 4 1/2 cups marshmallows, the chocolate chips, butter, sugar and water over low heat, stirring occasionally, until completely melted. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour marshmallow mixture over cereal in bowl; stir until evenly coated. Stir in remaining 1 cup marshmallows.
Press firmly in pan. Cool at least 1 hour until firm. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

For the Microwave:
Grease 13x9-inch pan with butter. Measure cereal into large bowl. Reserve 1 cup of the marshmallows. In large microwavable bowl, microwave remaining 4 1/2 cups marshmallows, the chocolate chips, butter, sugar and water uncovered on High 2 minutes to 3 minutes 30 seconds, stirring after every minute, until melted and smooth when stirred. Stir in vanilla. Continue as directed in recipe.

Hints:
If you spray your bowl with cooking spray before using it, you'll have less mess to clean when you're done.
The sugar and water can be replaced with 1/4 cup corn syrup.
If you prefer your marshmallows more visible in the bars, just a wait a minute or two after mixing the warm chocolate and marshmallow mixture into the cereal to allow it to cool slightly before you stir in the final cup of marshmallows.

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Mix

Want to jazz up your morning bowl of oatmeal?  Tired of buying those expensive little packets of flavored oatmeal.....Give this a try.... Feel free to substitute raisins or other dried fruit for the apples.

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Apple-Cinnamon-Oatmeal-Mix

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Mix

• 6 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1-1/3 cups nonfat dry milk powder
• 1 cup dried apples, diced
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• ADDITIONAL INGREDIENT (for each serving):
• 1/2 cup water OR use fat free milk and don't add the powdered milk above

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 6 months. Yield: 8 cups total. (16 servings)
• To prepare oatmeal: Shake mix well. In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil; slowly stir in 1/2 cup mix. Cook and stir over medium heat for 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Cover and let stand for 1 minute or until oatmeal reaches desired consistency. Yield: 1 serving.

Nutritional Facts:One serving equals 176 calories, 2 g fat (trace saturated fat), 1 mg cholesterol, 185 mg sodium, 33 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 7 g protein. Diabetic Exchange: 2 starch.