Julie’s granola

I have been on a little bit of a sugar rampage lately and I’m not sure why. I actually looked this up on the Internet and found some depressing news. As people age, they tend to crave sweets more. It has something to do with our taste buds disappearing. But I also found some encouraging news. One expert decided it’s just because as you get older you throw all those food no-no’s out the window. Eat dessert first.

So it started with just a small container of cheesecake from my beloved Publix. Only two tiny pieces, one for me and one for King Daddy. I ate mine and then started whittling away at his. I hid it in the back of the refrigerator until I could finish it. Is that wrong?

Then I got a two-pack of eclairs because I just love the custard filling. I nibbled away at the first one, taking at least two days to eat the whole thing. I hid the second one in the back of the fridge but now K.D. was on to me and found it before I could get back to finish it.

I happened upon Papa C Pies in Cool Springs. They sell these individual pies. I love pie. I bought a pecan chocolate pie and a coconut cream one knowing that Mark would not touch the latter. He hates coconut. I meant to just eat it one tiny wedge at a time. All that’s left is a Cheshire cat smile.

Yesterday, I stooped to a new low. We were packaging up leftover food from Merridee’s for the family after a funeral reception and I stole three Seven Layer bars. I hope I don’t choke when I eat them.

So all this to say I am on a slippery slope and I needed redemption. So I made Julie Reinhardt’s granola. Julie is a beloved member of St. Paul’s Episcopal and a paragon of virtuous eating. And her granola’s the best. I am attempting to model better behavior.

Julie Reinhardt’s Granola

4 cups uncooked old-fashioned oats

1 cup sunflower seeds

½ cup sliced almonds

½ cup sesame seeds

¾ cup wheat germ or oat bran

1 cup coconut

2 tablespoons water

1 cup honey

1/3 cup vegetable oil

Optional: 1-2 cups dried fruit such as raisins, cranberries, apricots, etc

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

Mix together the first six ingredients. Sprinkle with the water and add the honey and oil. Mix thoroughly and spread in a rimmed baking sheet. Bake, stirring at 15-minute intervals, until the granola is golden brown. You can easily halve this recipe and, also, it freezes beautifully.

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