Tasty Tuesday ... Favorite Granola

Continuing the "What's for breakfast" theme of August and the "Back-to-School" weeks, I want to share my recipe today for our Favorite Granola. It's a hearty breakfast that really "stays with you." This recipe is based on one first given to me by a missionary friend while we lived in Asia. Homemade cereal was really a treat then. It's loaded with fiber, protein, and great taste. You can vary the nuts and fruit to your liking.

In honor this week of Birthday giveaways, today's giveaway will be a gift of homemade Favorite Granola from my kitchen, along with a package of really cute recipe cards. Breakfast IS the most important meal of the day, and I want you to get off to a great start! :)

To enter today, leave a comment at the end of this post OR on the Come Have a Peace Facebook page, telling me what your "standard breakfast food" is.

Yesterday's winner of the Starbucks card and book by Sharon Jaynes is Katie! She was chosen by Random.org, and I'm so happy to pass on Sharon's book to her, as Katie is engaged to be married in the spring. Woohoo!

Recipe for Favorite Granola (Via email, click the top title to see the page w/photos)
4 c old fashioned oatmeal
1/2 c either wheat germ OR oat bran (I used oat bran.)
1/2 c nuts (slivered almonds or chopped walnuts, pecans, or cashews)
1/2 c sesame seeds
1 t. salt
1 1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 c smooth peanut butter
1/4 c brown suger
1/3 c honey
1/3 c water
1 t. vanilla
1/2 c dried fruit (I used blueberry craisins, but use whatever you have/like)
1 c flaked coconut (I toasted mine about 10 minutes before adding)

• Mix dry ingredients well (excluding sugar and dried fruit).

• In a microwavable bowl heat: PB, honey, water, brown sugar until sugar dissolves.
• Add vanilla to liquid.
• Pour over dry ingredients; mix well.

• Spoon into a greased 13x9 baking dish or roasting pan.

• Bake at 275 degrees for 1 hour; stir every 20 minutes.

• Cool and then stir in the toasted coconut and dried fruit.
• Store in a sealed container; I like to store mine in the fridge.
• This makes about 9 cups.

This will give you energy to do your work is for the day. And speaking of work for the day ... I'm loving this song by Steven Curtis Chapman. I think it just may be my "theme song" for this next year of my life!   Blessings!

(If you get this post via email and want to see this really encouraging video,   click on the title "Tasty Tuesday ... Favorite Granola" and then scroll down past all of the photos of granola making. :) )