Blueberry Granola

I love granola but I really hate spending the money for it at the store. If is so easy to make that I just need to do it. Since I love blueberries, it was my dry fruit of choice. The best part of making granola is that it will last for up to 3 weeks in an airtight container.

Blueberry Granola
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
4 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup dried blueberries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. 
3. In a large saucepan, add the oil, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt.
4. Stir the mixture and heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Its about 3 minutes.
5. In a large bowl, combine the oats and almonds.
6. Pour the warm honey mixture into the oat mixture. Stir until combined.
7. Gently fold in the dried blueberries. 
8. Spread the mixture onto the baking sheet.
9. Bake for 10 minutes. Stir.
10. Bake for another 10 minutes or until the granola is a deep golden brown.

Recipe adapted from The Pastry Queen cookbook.

One year ago........................I made Green Smoothie.
Two years ago......................I made Chocolate Caramel Shortbread.
Three years ago...................I made Vanilla Cake. 

Did you already know...................
-In 1863, Dr. James C. Jackson created granula made with graham flour.
-In 1874, Dr. John Kellogg created a recipe and called it granula. 
-Dr. Jackson sued the company and Kellogg changed the name to granola.

Jubilation Granola Chews

Have you ever purchased a box of those chewy granola bars? These Jubilation Granola Chews are soft and chewy like those bars but much better. We really loved this recipe.  I think I will be making this recipe before any trip.

This weeks Project Pastry Queen was picked by Amanda of Homekeeping Adventures. The other great thing about this recipe is if you don't have almonds use walnuts. You can vary the ingredients with whatever you have on hand. Please make sure to check out the other members variations of this recipe. After I made the recipe, I individually wrapped each one for a quick snack to go.

Jubilation Granola Chews
3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup agave syrup
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup craisins
1/2 cup currants
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup golden flax seeds

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. On a baking sheet, toast the oatmeal for about 8 to 10 minutes.
3. In a large bowl, add the toasted oatmeal and set aside.
4. On the same baking sheet previously used, add the nuts, coconut, sunflower, and flax seeds.
5. Toast the nut mixture in the oven for about 7 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned.
6. Add the mixture to the oatmeal bowl. Set aside.
7. Spray a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray.
8. In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, agave syrup, maple syrup, and water.
9. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat until the mixture comes to a bowl.
10. Reduce the heat to medium heat and simmer for about 8 to 10 minutes until the mixture reaches around 234 to 240 degrees F on a candy thermometer.
11. Stir in the butter, peanut butter, salt, and vanilla.
12. After combining, add the honey mixture to the oatmeal bowl and stir to combine.
13. Pour the mixture into the greased 9x13 baking pan.
14. Evenly press the mixture into the pan using a sheet of wax paper.
15. Allow the mixture to cool for about 1 hour.
16. Cut the bars in about 4 1/2 x 1 1/2 inch bars.

Recipe adapted from Pastry Queen cookbook. 

Did you already know...
-In 1930, three cranberry growers formed Ocean Spray.
-The companies first product sold was jellied cranberry sauce.
-Cranisins were first introduced in 1993.