I mentioned yesterday that we started an intensive module class this week. Two weeks of Communications everyday from 10:00am to 6:00pm with other visits in addition.
Like this morning, for example… We were going to a conference at European headquarters and had to leave the house at 8:30am to arrive on time. This is after being at Le Cordon Bleu last night until past 9:00pm, doing our reading and other homework for today, and trying to get a good night’s sleep before waking up bright and early this morning.
Needless to say it’s been a busy week so far. The visits are all great and class is really interesting, but I was so thankful to have my afternoon free today. I finally got home around 3:00pm this afternoon, and wanted nothing more than to just do something for fun.
I thought I might want to hop on my yoga mat for a little, but I was just too tired. I’m trying this new thing where I actually listen to my body when it’s too tired. You know, like not pushing it when it’s begging me to just chill. Interesting concept, yes? Sarcasm.
Anyway. Taking a cue from my tired bod, I headed to my favorite room in any house – the kitchen.
Lately I’ve been craving granola. I make it all the time back home, but without an oven I haven’t even tried.
Until today.
Stove Top Granola
Since I don’t have a single measuring cup in Paris, this is really more of a method rather than a recipe. It was really easy to make and took all of 15 minutes, so I think it will come in handy even if you do have an oven back home – it’s super quick, and you only dirty up one pan making clean up very easy. Most importantly, it’s delicious.
First, I toasted the oats (maybe about 1.5 to 2 cups) in a dry pan on the stove. And of course by stove, I mean hot plate.
I turned the heat up to medium-high and stirred the oats constantly until they browned.
Next up – Honey. And Butter. Trust me. Butter makes everything better.
I let the butter and honey (maybe about 1tbspn each) melt together in the pan, then added cinnamon, salt, almonds and walnuts. I added the nuts whole, mostly because I don’t have a knife to chop them (gotta love my tiny Parisian kitchen). They would be great chopped too and you could use any nuts you have on hand, or whichever ones you like.
Stop lookin’ at me like I’m nuts. Get it? Granola humor! Enough jokes. Back to the granola…and I’m not referring to myself!
Ok this time, I’m really done.
Once that had all toasted for a bit (maybe 5 minutes), I added the toasted oats back in the pan and let them all mix together.
The oats soaked up the remaining butter and honey and the granola dried out really well making it very crunchy.
I decided to stir in some coconut flakes once it had cooled for a few minutes…
Mmm. I’ve missed my homemade granola, and felt so cozy and happy this afternoon, munching on fresh granola with fromage frais, soaking up my free afternoon, and basking in the glorious smell of cinnamon, honey and butter that lingered in the house after I made it.
You could really make this granola with anything you like in it – dried pineapple would have been great with the coconut in this recipe. Any dried fruit and any nut you like would work great.
Well, this nut is back to the books. Have a good Wednesday!
