Hi guys!  Well, with storms the last couple days, I have been off the computer – we need to unplug it when the weather gets bad, just in case.  I am finally logging on this morning with bright blue skies and warm weather – love it!

One of my bosses eats granola just about every day.  We have a busy work week coming up, so I decided to try my hand at making a batch.  Holy cow, this one is a winner.  I adapted my recipe from this one – my alterations?  I subbed 1/2 the honey for agave nectar, I used only 2 cups almonds, I added 1/2 a cup of sesame seeds, and I cooked mine for a full hour, in 2 batches.

Crunchy Sesame Seed Granola with Dried Cherries

  • each 2/3 cup serving is 7 PointsPlus

Ingredients:

  • 5 cups rolled oats (not quick oats)
  • 1/2 cup ground flax seed
  • 2 cups sliced almonds
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/4 cup agave nectar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup dried cherries
  • 1 cup raisins

In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients.   Mix the wet ingredients in another bowl.  Combine and using your hands, mix well.  Heat oven to 300 degrees.

Instead of doing two batches at once and then flipping them, I just did two batches – you just want to make sure the granola is one layer on your cookie sheet.  Bake for 1 hours, mixing it up every 15 minutes.  Cool on paper towels.  Her recipe said to store into an airtight container and it will keep in your refrigerator indefinitely.  I put my batch in the fridge, took it out this morning to take pictures, and it was soft, not crunchy as it was yesterday.

I think it will safely keep in an airtight container in your pantry for a couple weeks.  If it lasts that long!

This turned out so good!  Super crunchy, I love the added flavor of the sesame seeds.  I never would have thought to use applesauce as the binding agent and while I was skeptical, it worked out perfectly.

We are going to be smoking some ribs for dinner, I need to make German potato salad and maybe a fruit salad?  I am almost done with my laundry – Hannah and I went to Goodwill yesterday and scored on some great items – I’ll have to do a Fashion Friday maybe?  If Shelley doesn’t mind me stealing her idea – I bought a way cute pair of brown capri pants, and 5 different tops that match – the pants are a size 12, and have a little room, and I was also able to pick up a size 10 pants that are just a smidge too tight, but I think another 5-7 pounds they’ll fit just fine.  Woot!

Question of the Day:  Potato Salad or Cole Slaw?

Stop by tomorrow when I’ll introduce the 101 Days of Summer Challengers.  It’s not too late to join – just email me at mybizzykitchen@gmail.com and let me know what your summer goals are.