.granola a.k.a. crack.

am i allowed to just write "do this. it's good."? sure i am, i can write whatever i want. but you probably know by now that i'm not really an expert in keeping things precise.

i had a craving come to me that i wore like an invisible food cloak all day. without shaking it, my only choice was to make it happen. to make it.

granola. it really is a simple concept, but man can it be delicious. here's how to make some for yourself. preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

mix 3 cups of oats in a large bowl with 1/3 cup sliced almonds, and 1/2 cup coconut.

add a tsp each of cinnamon and salt. the cinnamon will give a much needed punch of taste and the salt will bring out the flavor in everything. it is a magical ingredient.

set the bowl of mixed ingredients to the side and grab a saucepan. melt one stick of unsalted butter, 2/3 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup of honey until it is one cohesive sticky liquid.

once the saucepan mixture is a smooth liquid, pour it over your bowl of dry ingredients and mix it all together. let me just warn you of something right here. if you do not like the most enticing aroma ever, do not make this because your nostrils will be under a wonderful attack.

spread your granola mixture on a parchment lined baking sheet. bake for 15 minutes and then remove to toss. bake for another 15 minutes and remove to toss once more. then, finish it off by baking for another 10 minutes.

after allowing the flavored oats-turned-granola to cool completely, feel free to add some little tasties. i added dried cranberries to mine, but you could add your favorite dried fruit, some dark chocolate, mini marshmallows, whatever suits your taste buds.

this stuff is food crack. my eye guy and i both love nibbling on it. top some greek yogurt with this stuff and you have a dynamic breakfast. mix it with frozen yogurt and add a lovely crunch to your dessert.

believe me when i tell you that you want to make this so you can eat it. and share it. and make friends by doing so.

granola
ingredients
3 cups oats
1/3 cup almonds
1/2 cup coconut
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 stick unsalted butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey

directions
preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
mix in a large bowl the oats, almonds, coconut, cinnamon and salt. set aside. in a separate saucepan, melt the butter, brown sugar and honey until the sugar is all melted. pour the melted mixture over the bowl of dry ingredients and mix.
on a parchment lined baking sheet, spread our your granola flavored oats mixture. with a little heat, it will soon be granola.
bake for 15 minutes, then remove and toss the mixture. bake for another 15 minutes and toss once again. after an additional 10 minutes of baking, toss one last time and allow to cool completely.
after your browned granola has completely cooled, add in some tasty ingredients like dried fruit, dark chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or whatever flavor you like. after one last toss, you have a good amount of delicious granola. there's enough to share.