I figured out what my life is all about! Well, no, not really. But I figured out what my blog is about: miserable fun! Yup, Type 2 Fun. Fun that isn’t fun until it’s over. I willingly, often eagerly involve myself in things that make me somewhat (or quite a bit) miserable at the time but I call fun later.
It’s taken me 80 posts over nearly two years to figure out what the common thread is behind my blog. Which I suppose that makes it also about patience.
So I’ve written a second About page. It’s about the blog, as opposed to about me. Check it out! I could also use a subtitle. Like Midwest With Zest: Questionable Fun. Eh?? Have any other ideas for a subtitle?
Oh, and here’s my new granola recipe. Because I figure you’re reading this not just because I need help thinking of a subtitle.
I would have never started making granola except for Will hating oatmeal and the need for some serious fiber on our recent winter camping trip. Totally miserable fun. I wouldn’t keep making it if it wasn’t so freak’n easy. It’s also going in my pre-race menu.
It’s based off of Cook’s Illustrated March/April 2012 recipe.
Preheat oven to 325. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Put in a large bowl:
1/3 c light brown sugar
1/3 c maple syrup
1/2 c vegetable oil
1/2 t salt
4 t vanilla extract (next time I’m substituting 2t for almond extract)
zest of one orange
Whisk together. Don’t forget this or you’ll get clumps of brown sugar 😦
Stir in:
1.5-2 c raw almonds – roughly hand chopped. Seriously, don’t over chop.
5 c thick rolled (aka old-fashioned) oats. Not the quick or thin oats!
~1/3 c golden flax seeds (for more roughage)
Once the oats are well coated in the mixture, pour onto parchment lined pan. Using a metal spatula press the oats down firmly.
Bake for 45-55min. Rotate about half way through. Remove when browned and edges are clearly toasty. Allow to cool in pan about 1 hour. Crumble to your desired chunkiness.
Add dried fruit! My favorite is a mix of blueberries and cherries.
I eat it with a little hot water on cold mornings. Will has his with cold milk. Left very chunky you could have it as a snack.
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