granola!!!

I don't know where I got my appetite for granola (I have no memory of it as a kid), but lately I've been on a mission to find the "perfect" recipe. Of course this is different for everyone - mine is minimalistic (just oats and fruit), crispy, crunchy, and just a little bit clumpy.

It needs some tweaking (less allspice and a trifle more salt, maybe some almonds . . .), but the one I made this weekend comes pretty near. (more pictures)

Granola
adapted from, via

• 2 1/2 c. old-fashioned oats
• 1/3 c. packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. allspice
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• a pinch of salt
• 1/4 c. butter
• 2 tbsp. honey
• 3/4 c. dried fruit (mine was a mix of dried cranberries, cherries, and blueberries)

Mix all dry ingredients except for the fruit. Melt honey and and butter; pour slowly over oat mixture while stirring. Spread onto a cookie sheet and bake on 300 degrees F for 20 min., stirring occasionally. Add berries, stirring to break up some - but not all - of the clumps. (Why do all granola recipes say to break up the clumps? Really, they're tasty!) Bake for another 15 minutes until golden brown; cool.