Saturday, May 7, 2011

Harvey House Granola


 

This past January, Jason and I enjoyed a weekend away at Harvey House, a bed and breakfast in Oak Park. (It was a fabulous Christmas present from Mom and Dad Marshall!)  If any of you local readers happen to be looking for a good B&B, we highly recommend this place.  Our room was so cozy with an oversided jacuzi tub and a three-sided fireplace that looked into the bedroom and bath.  For pictures, rates and more info check out the Harvey House at www.harveyhousebb.com

Beth, the owner, is so sweet and she’s an incredible craftsman in the kitchen.  Breakfast is my absolute favorite meal of the day and she sure whipped up some of the best morning meals I’ve ever tasted.  One of the most delicious treats she made was granola, and she was kind enough to share the recipe.  I’ve made this granola twice now.  The house smells so wonderful while it’s baking.  You may want to double the batch because it’s so good and it doesn’t last long!  Here's the recipe.

3 cups old fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats)
1 cup almonds – sliced or slivered
1 cup cashews – whole or halves
¾ cup sweetened coconut
¼ cup + 2 Tbs dark brown sugar
¼ cup + 2 Tbs pure maple syrup
¼ cup vegetable oil
½ cup raisins
½ cup dried cranberries

Combine oats, nuts, coconut, brown sugar.  Mix until no clumps in sugar and well combined.

 

In a separate bowl mix together syrup and oil.

  

Combine both mixtures and spread out in two 9x13 pans

 

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.  Cook 1 hour and 15 minutes, stir every 15 minutes. 

Cool and mix in raisins and cranberries.  

 

Serve with yogurt, with milk as a cereal, or enjoy on its own as a healthy snack! 

*A couple tips:  I never used pure maple syrup, I just had the cheap kind and it worked fine.  I also did a half and half mixture of syrup and honey and mixed in a tsp of vanilla.  For more flavor I added in a tsp of cinnamon.  :)

No comments:

Post a Comment