Granola Bars - A Tuesday Quickie!!

Homemade Granola Bars
Perfect for snacking, packed lunches and energy while working on pouring adobe floors!

I just finished the 4th and final (for me) Natural Building Workshop Catering. It was amazing as usual. I haven't even begun to process the whole expirience. I have wrote about the workshop here at Pete Eatemall in the past. Sharing recipes and menus - pictures and a poem or two. Now that they are over, I realized how much I gained from the time - community, nature, friendships, soul searching, time with my ancestors and more. I have only begun to scratch the surface of what I have learned. I hope to post again soon about the workshop - not just about the food but there is so much more I want to share with you.

Of course I honed my skills as a cook, preparing meals and yummy snacks daily. I was happy with everything I made for this fourth workshop. Tried a few new things; Lo Mein, French Onion Soup and granola Bars, as well as made some favorites; Fried Chicken, Beef Chili and lots of desserts. I of course will post some more recipes based on what I made for the crowd.

I wanted to quickly share the recipe for granola bars. Its inspiration of course from many recipes on line but main inspiration from Ina Garten's recipe (Barefoot Contessa). It a simple recipe to follow. Its also the perfect snack to carry around. Full of dried fruits, nuts and grains. Everyone enjoyed the snack bars very much. As usual, I stress to you, be creative - add your favorites - put your signature on 'em and better yet share 'em with someone you love.

Granola Bars

Inspired By Ina Garten's Recipe

2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
1 cup sliced almonds, walnuts, pecans, sunflower or pumpkin seeds or combination of all
1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup wheat germ
3 TBS unsalted butter
2/3 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups - combination of raisins, dried cranberries, cherries, blueberries, chopped pitted dates, dried apricots, chocolate chips...

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. line a 13 X 9 baking dish it with parchment paper or foil. Grease or spray.

Toss the oatmeal, nuts and or seed combo, and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the wheat germ. (You can leave the wheat germ out for gluten free folks - but remember not all oats are gluten free be sure to check package if making for gluten free friends and family)

Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.

Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.

Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture. Add 1 1/2 cups of dried fruit mixture and stir well. Note: If using chocolate chips add them very last after dried fruit.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Wet your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares. Serve at room temperature.

Enjoy!

Everyone really appreciated the bars. They all worked very hard on earth plastering. I had a couple of days when I was able to join in pouring adobe floors. I needed a good snack to me going and the granola bars were a perfect fit!

It was so rewarding to meet new folks and be able to care of my friends and family! I hope to share more later this week about my time at the workshop.

Sending love....Me...Pete Eatemall

Can I pull out now? Will you fill my hole? Will you get me wet?

Just random sayings while pouring adobe floor.

(Really, "mudding" is a very randy task!)