Happy Morning Granola

Saturday mornings are the BEST!  I love hanging out with my family, pajama-clad, coffee mug in hand.  Sometimes we make donuts.  Sometimes Hubby makes a donut run to the local grocery store. Our only child is young, so we aren't yet always on the run for sporting events and the like.  Instead, we cuddle on the couch, watching cartoons or episodes of "Little House on the Prairie."  (I never claimed that we were cool.)

This week, we'll be enjoying Happy Morning Granola with friends who are visiting from Mexico.  A batch of this granola takes only moments to toss together, then bakes up in a jiffy and lasts for days to come.  It's a great change from hot, cooked oatmeal.  You're still getting those whole grain carbs and heart healthy benefits, but in the more interesting form of crunchy granola.

The biggest surprise here may be the addition of cayenne pepper...barely more than a pinch.  Go ahead and throw it in, I dare you.  I triple-dog dare you!  Observable heat from it will be minuscule, but the cayenne brings a whole new dimension of flavor.  Also, the cinnamon and allspice contribute interest and sweetness - allowing for less sugar.  With less sugar, the granola doesn't seem to clump together like store bought varieties.  So what?  We love it just the same.

Happy Morning Granola

an original recipe by Kelly Jo Vanderstelt

1.  Stir together well in a large baking dish:

• 1/3 Cup Vegetable Oil
• 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1 Tsp. Cinnamon
• 1/2 Tsp. Allspice
• 1/2 Tsp. Salt
• Scant 1/8 Tsp. Cayenne Pepper

2.  Stir in 6 Cups Old-Fashioned Oats, coating thoroughly with sugar/oil mixture by using the back of your spoon to break up any clumps and spread it out through the oats.  If desired, drizzle with a tablespoon or two of honey and stir in.

3.  Bake at 350 degrees around 25 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally and turning for even browning of oats, until golden brown. (Oven times and temps may vary).

4.  Let cool a few minutes, and add goodies as desired.  I add:

• 1 Cup of Flaked Coconut
• 1 Cup Pecans, chopped
• 1 Cup Sunflower kernels, raw and unsalted
• 1 Cup Raisins or Golden Raisins

This batch makes many servings, but it will be gobbled up quickly by your troops!