Granola

I've told you before about my loathing serious distaste for oatmeal.  And how it's terribly annoying to me that it's supposedly so good for you but I unfortunately can't stand don't like it.  Also, how it's amazingly cheap and my whole family (except for me) willingly eats it every morning and I feed the whole crew for less than $0.50.  

Well, I'm here to tell you I found a solution.  It's not perfect.  But it makes me feel healthy and frugal and it tastes so much better.  (more emphasis needed there...)

The recipe comes straight out of the cookbook Family Feasts for $75 a Week, by Mary Ostyn.  This lady is a Mama of 10--that grocery budget is meant for a typical American family of four (two adults, two kids).  I really enjoyed picking up some of the methods in her cookbook, and some of the recipes aren't too bad, either.  Especially this one, of course!

In a large mixing bowl, combine 12 cups oatmeal (quick or old fashioned are both fine) with 1/2 cup flour, 1 T cinnamon and 1/2 tsp nutmeg.  Optionally, stir in up to 4 cups "extras," such as seeds, nuts, dried fruit, etc.  Mix it up.  (here's a tip though--we've found it's better to add any dried fruit after it bakes...)

Then in a glass measuring cup, combine 1 cup oil and 1 cup honey.  Microwave on high for 1 minute.

Pour the oil and honey into the oat mixture and stir to combine.

Divide mixture onto 3 greased jelly roll pans and spread out evenly.

Bake it for 15 to 25 minutes, (depending on desired brownness) rotating pans once during cooking.  Let cool on pan at least 10 minutes before moving to a large bowl, then cool completely before storing in an airtight container or bag.

**In case you're wondering, that heaping bowl of hot oatmeal (prepared the way we do at our house) costs around $0.08/serving.  This granola costs about twice that, depending on what you mix in and how big your bowl is!  By the way, the cost of the granola is a little over half as much as a cheap bowl of cereal purchased at the grocery store.  Got it?

PS.  For a special treat, I mix in a few chocolate chips on one tray after it comes out of the oven.  :)

Granola

from Family Feasts for $75 a Week

12 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup flour
1 T cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
4 cups "extras," optional
1 cup oil
1 cup honey


Combine dry ingredients in large mixing bowl.  Heat oil and honey in microwaveable bowl for 1 minute.  Pour into dry mixture and stir well to combine.  Spread granola onto 3 greased baking sheets and bake at 325 for 15 to 25 minutes, rotating pans once halfway through.  Let cool on pans 10 minutes before moving to a large bowl to cool completely.  Store in an airtight container (for up to 3 weeks).