Tuesday, March 15, 2011

M: Toasted Almond Coconut Granola

So I've been a little MIA the last week or so...I won't lie...I don't feel TOO bad about it...Why? Because we're giving our kitchen a pretty big facelift =) So, when you have wet paint and empty cabinets, you definitely don't want to be splattering all over the place. Seeing as how there has been no cooking, this post won't be very long. Just a little of this and a little of that.

There has been lots of takeout...A little of this:


And a little of my favorite soup from Five Loaves (tomato tarragon with crabmeat - so yum):


And lots of other things too - non-homemade things. So, given that I cannot use my kitchen, I am beginning to go through cooking/baking withdrawals. But, again, I'm ok with it. Hey, it's nice to take a break every now and then...especially if it's forced on you =)

However, there is one little recipe I wanted to share because this stuff is fantastic. I mean, it's the best granola I've made to date. It has stayed super crunchy and made enough for breakfast parfaits for the entire week, which was great for us since we haven't been able to cook breakfasts! It's Joy the Baker's Toasted Almond Granola with just a couple of modifications.


My favorite part of this granola? I believe it may be the addition of the coconut - but I love the large amount of almonds and the cinnamon hints and the fact that it maintains its crunchiness no matter what you do with it!

My only changes? I nixed the 1/4 cup of oil, added 1/4 cup applesauce, and added about 3/4 cup of dried cranberries just after baking because I just cannot have granola without some sort of dried fruit!

The outcome:



Seriously, try this stuff...It is sooo tasty! Just go to miss Joy's blog here!

Enjoy! Happy Tuesday!

28 comments:

Hannah said...

I haven't made granola in far too long! This looks delicious. Next time, you could combine all the tastes in this post and make seaweed crab granola! Yum! :D

Megan D said...

Gotta love sushi. And I feel like you always make the BEST granola!!

Tiffany @ The Chi-Athlete said...

Mmmmhmmmm sushi sushi sushi!

That granola is AWESOME! I love making it homemade!

Laural (bhealthier) said...

hmm it looks great! I made granola in January and took it for a ski trip... I burnt the cranberries, oops! Ill wait till the last minute next time like you!

oh i just got excited because i have coconut too!

KatiePerk said...

Now I want sushi. The granola looks delicious! can't wait to see your kitchen re-do!

Amelia said...

Yay for kitchen renovations! I hope you took "before" pictures so we get to see all of the progress. :)

Five Loaves in in my top 5 of favorite places to eat in Charleston. So healthy and delicious!

Lisa said...

Have fun with the kitchen project!

The granola looks awesome :)

The Purple Carrot said...

Congrats on your kitchen facelift!! :)

I keep seeing sushi on blogs and now I'm going to have to eat some asap, ha.

Cookie Sorkin said...

HIYA MANDI!
I'VE BEEN TRYING GRANOLAS FOR A WHILE AND FOR SOME REASON THEY NEVER TURN OUT THE WAY I WANT. YOURS LOOKS AWESOME AND WILL BE MY NEXT ATTEMPT! MAYBE EVEN THIS WEEKEND FOR JENNYS BEACH TRIP! THANKS!
JOSH'S MOMMIE

Unknown said...

i love kitchen projects, have fun :)

Anonymous said...

It's been a long time since I've made granola - yours looks great! I wouldn't protest sushi takeout any day of the week :)

Peggy said...

It's been a long time since I've made some granola. This definitely sounds like a winner to me!

salah S said...

oh man, I need to make some homemade granola, and I also need to go get some sushi as well! :-)

Anonymous said...

Yum! Now I'm craving granola!

Renee Paj said...

I have never made my own granola...but I think i will start with this one! Mandi, by eliminating the oil and subbing applesauce, did it get crunchy?

new kitchen = exciting!!!!

Biz said...

I love when homemade granola stays crunchy!!

Jealous of your kitchen makeover - my kitchen still has 1970's sticky paper that is brown and yellow mushrooms - and is impossible to remove - I've tried in 10 years and its not going anywhere until I tear out my cabinets!

Annie said...

crabmeat in tomato soup?!

i die

Corey @ the runners cookie said...

Kitchen makeover - how exciting!! I hope you post pictures :)
Granola is one of my favorite foods - I will definitely be checking out that recipe!

Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather said...

I love crunchy granola! Mmmm looks good girl.


Will you be showing us your kitchen updates? I'd love to see. It's fun seeing changes people make to their kitchen.

Pound said...

PLEASE post before and after pics of the kitchen! Im sure it looks ah-mazing :)

AllThingsYummy said...

Can't wait to see what your new kitchen looks like.
I love making my own granola, especially with almonds and pecans. yum!

MegSmith @ Cooking.In.College said...

I am so glad to hear that you didn't add the oil and it still turned out crunchy! I have been wanting to make granola but the thought of measuring out 1/4 cup of oil or more and adding it to oats and all that wonderful stuff makes me shudder a bit! I am definitely going to make this with your alterations!

Beth @ DiningAndDishing said...

I made granola a couple days ago too! It's so easy to make but smells amazing while it cooks and tastes absolutely wonderful. What's not to love ?? :)

We Are Not Martha said...

I was JUST at Joy's blog obsessing over her grapefruit scones :) This granola looks fabulous, too! Congrats on your kitchen makeover!!

Sues

Val said...

Sushi is my favorite....I'm loving this granola recipe.

teresa said...

sushi! love it. and how fun to have your kitchen redone, be sure to post pictures!

Simply Life said...

oh that granola looks great!

carla said...

Ive never made granola.

hmmmm.