Enjoying some amazing home made granola from @virtuallybing. I may end up eating the whole batch.

January 16, 2012 8:50 pm via HootSuiteReplyRetweetFavorite

@electromute

Ingrid Alongi

I promised I’d get around to posting my recipe.  Other than getting a feel for how long to bake it to suit your crispy/chewy preference, it’s pretty dummy-proof.  Another thing I love about it is that the ingredients store really well, so I’m able to keep them kicking around the kitchen.  No need for planning ahead like I do for cooking with fresh ingredients.

Mix in a medium bowl:

• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup almond slivers
• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds

Warm and mix (I use a single measuring cup and nuke for 15 seconds):

• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup maple syrup (advice from a New Englander: buy the real stuff)
• 1/3 cup canola oil

Mix together the wet and dry ingredients.  Spread the granola onto a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper and bake at 325°.  After 10 minutes or so, start moving the granola around every 5 minutes to make sure that it browns evenly.  I know I’m close when I can smell the granola baking, usually after about 20 minutes of total take time, and start checking every couple of minutes at that point.  Pull the granola out when it’s one shade lighter that you want the final product to be.  It will brown a bit more as it cools.  Before it’s fully cooled, sprinkle on top:

• A dash or two of kosher salt
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries

Break up the chunks to suit your preference and enjoy.  My favorite ways are straight up by the handful or spooned onto vanilla yogurt.  I’ve tried a few variations with spices like cinnamon, etc., but haven’t quite found something that beats the basic.  If you’ve got a suggestion I should try, please let me know in the comments.

I have to go that far anyways to meet Kim, so maybe I’ll have some company during the day.

Dylan’s got the right idea. I’m beginning to enjoy Virginia less than before, as it’s gotten rockier and the views are exceedingly unspectacular. Dragon’s Tooth and Mcafee Knob are coming up shortly though, so the spirits may shift back again quickly. Plus, having the Walkman for parts of the day is nice too. It’s keeping me sane when I’m about to lose it.

The rocks on the way down really ground the bones to a pulp. This high mileage (19 miles today) really takes a toll on the body.

Picked up my packages from the P.O. after it was closed…got my summer bag and some goodies. Staying at the hostel run by the Catholic church. There are some really friendly people around. Photo from a view right before Doc’s Knob with the fog rolling in/out of the valley.

Kept our day short and stayed at Wood’s Hole, run by Tillie, who asks only for a little maintenance work in return for a night’s stay in her log cabin. A killer breakfast for $3.50 too.

Took a picture of a turtle today after a long standoff…I was trying to wait until it came out of its shell to snap the photo, but the turtle won. Oh well. Photo of D-Fly crossing suspension bridge.

 Birdman had no-showed, so we assumed he had hit the shelter.  We came upon him at 4:00…he had been sleeping on the mountainside with insects crawling all over him and in his bag.  We all headed out together and decided to keep going to town.  15 miles by 11:30.  We spent the afternoon in Bland and packed out steak, potatoes, corn, and onions for a fire pit feast.  Very nice.  I’m surprisingly not that tired, though I’m sure I’ll sleep in tomorrow morning.  What a day.

The event will be on Friday, May 20th 5-7pm at Aspiringapps on Pearl St.  Take a peek at Plancast to see who’s coming, and better yet, to RSVP.

Ryan’s arranged to have a few other recent transplants talk for a minute about:

• Why they moved here
• Where they come from
• How quickly the got plugged in
• How awesome the ride has been
• What they’re up to now

I scanned the participants list to see who’s coming, and it looks like there are quite a few veterans mixed in as well.  If you’re new to town or Boulder is on the short list of places to move to, this event is a no-brainer.  See you there.