Cooking Lesson #755: Clynn’s Pandemic Granola Recipe

… from the Perspectives’ Kitchen

How you doin’? Clynn was the purchasing vice president for one of our clients. We traveled to Indonesia and the Philippines looking for shrimp, lobster and furniture (for the dining rooms, of course). We got to Jakarta just about a day after terrorists had bombed the club at the Marriott Hotel. Security was in full force as we attempted to check into the Hyatt, which took over an hour. There were anti-American demonstrations going on throughout the city and we were told by the embassy personnel to be on alert… whatever the hell that meant.

As the call for prayers sounded, Clynn thought it would be a good idea to go for a walk and explore Jakarta. I was skeptical, but I can usually blend into the background, so I agreed. But Clynn is a big gregarious man who is easily recognized as a foreigner—American—at his over six foot four height. We walked for a couple of blocks with suspicious stares from the locals until a policeman pulled us aside and told us to get off the street as it wasn’t safe.

That night we met up with a couple of Clynn’s suppliers who took us to a dancing club that served liquor. After being searched for guns and bombs we got in, but after a few minutes and hearing about the unrest in the city we thought it best to return to the safety of our hotel.

You may think, what does this all have to do with granola? Absolutely nothing! This is just a reminiscence of an old friend that managed to survive the perils of traveling to countries that are not so welcoming to Americans.

This delicious Granola recipe was created and perfected by Clynn during the pandemic. Enjoy!

Ingredients
8 cups rolled oats (original, not quick cook)
1 cup instant powdered milk (not instant milk)
1 cup flake or shredded coconut
1 cup brown sugar (or 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup honey)
1/2 cup hot water
1/2 cup peanut oil
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 cup shelled walnuts
1 cup shelled pecans
1 cup hulled pumpkin seeds
1 cup hulled sunflower seeds
1/4 cup flax seeds
1/4 cup sprouted hemp seeds
1/4 cup chia seeds
1 cup craisins
1cup of raisins
1/4 cup dried Gogi berries
 
Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 275⁰ F.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients together except the brown sugar, craisins, raisins and Gogi berries).
3. Mix the oil and brown sugar (and/or honey with 1/2 cup hot water) together.
4. Pour the mixture over the dry ingredients and mix until everything is well coated.
5. Pam spray two half-size sheet pans over the kitchen sink, so you do not get the overspray on the kitchen floor lest you end up there yourself.
6. Divide the mixture evenly and spread it flat to cover the pans.
7. Bake the granola in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes.
8. Remove the pans from the oven and using a large spatula turn over all the granola mixture in each pan.
9. Pop the pans back in the oven for another 10-15 minutes until they are golden brown.
10. Turn the oven off leaving both pans in the oven for another 30 minutes to dry/set completely.
11. Spread the raisins, craisins, and Gogi berries evenly over the mixture on both pans.
12. Cover the pans with parchment paper and let sit for 1 to2 hours.
13. Break up the mixture and transfer to an airtight container.

ChefSecrets:  You may want to cut this recipe in half to first test the recipe to suit your own tastes. This is enough for about two weeks.

Quip of the Day:        Q. What do you call a granola with a serious attitude?
                                       A. ‘Cereal killer’.
-------------------------------------------
Do you have a question or comment?  Send your thoughts to [email protected].  All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
-------------------------------------------
To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind.

To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to  Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.

#Granola #Cereal #RolledOats #Snack #Breakfast #Brunch #2024Recipes #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup  
 
                                                                                ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024

---