Granola

Per my New Years resolution, I have been spending much of my spare time in the kitchen. I've decided that each week I will pick up at the grocery store, Farmer's Market, etc. some type of food I've never cooked with before. I've been wanting to make my own granola for a while, so this week I experimented with rolled and steel oats. I found a recipe in one of my cookbooks, The Candle Cafe Cookbook. It turned out amazing! I've always gotten pre-made granola at the store but from now on I will definitely be making it myself.

Heat oven to 350. Combine everything minus raisins and coconut. Spread out over a backing sheet and bake for 20 mins, stirring every 5 mins. After cooling, add the rasins and coconut.

*1 cup steel-cut oats

* 1/2 cup rolled oats

*1/4 cup slivered almonds

*3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

*1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds

* 1/3 cup maple syrup

* 1/4 cup safflower or coconut oil

* 1 tbsp vanilla extract

* 1/4 tsp sea salt

* 1/2 cup rasins

* 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

INGREDIENTS: BEFORE: AFTER: I doubled the recipe and it made a ton. They also suggest adding some dried fruit. I was so surprised it turned out so well, I think it was all I ate the next day haha. Also on Sunday, I managed to make it the Farmer's Market in Hillcrest. Not sure if I've mentioned this before but there is a farmer's market (sometimes more than one) every day somewhere in San Diego. I typically go to the one in Hillcrest because it's right down the street and I typically have Sundays off which is when they have theirs. Farmer's Market And because I'm talking so much about food, here is a pic of the most delicious muffin (Chocolate Chip Banana Bran) from my favorite coffee shop down the street Mystic Mocha: