Rethinking Granola

I get annoyed every time I see people buying granola at grocery store. I mean, why pay $8-10 for a pound of stuff that really only costs $2 (and easy enough to make on a weeknight)? Rolled oats are dirt cheap (~$1 a pound), and often it even sits on the same shelf as your damn premade granola. The rest of the ingredient are cheap and/or common things you already have in the kitchen (sugar, salt, oil, honey, cinnamon, ...).

Here's roughly what you need in picture:

Fill the mixing bowl about half way with oats and other nuts of choice (go all oats if you're cheap). Add about 0.25 cup of olive oil, or half a stick of butter if you're willing to eat saturated fat every once in a while. Add a few tablespoons of brown sugar, a pinch of salt, and a dash of cinnamon or other spice you see fit (nutmeg, ginger, cayenne,...). Throw in some cornmeal too if you're in to that stuff. Then add honey (or maple syrup if budget allows). Mix for 30 seconds or until you're bored. The mixture should have a consistency of wet sand. If it's too dry, add more honey. Heck, add more honey anyway.

Spread it on a baking pan. Bake at 250F. Walk away for 20 minutes, then stir it up a little. Repeat 3X (total ~60 minutes). Done.

What does it taste like? Well, imagine the store-bought version without all the bullshit...plus a hint of satisfaction. If you want a real recipe, check out Alton Brown's on Food Network. But I highly encourage experimentation here. Think of it as an art of mixing nuts, grains, and a few basic flavors and spices. It's healthy, easy, and cheap. Most importantly, if you screw this shit up, you shouldn't be allowed in the kitchen.