This summer, most of our trips out of town have been quick, 48-hour jaunts here and there — usually as (very grateful) moochers of friends with beach houses.
We try to bring a little gift, plus something everyone can snack on and enjoy, but cookies are feeling tired and predictable.
This weekend, we're taking granola, and we've got some good reasons why...
Dinner is something that evolves and takes care of itself once you arrive. You're not going to hop on a ferry or a plane with a marinating pork tenderloin (well, we aren't, anyway).
But breakfast? Breakfast you can bring. We'll be arriving at our destination late tomorrow night, so we're thinking it'll be nice to wake up to a little homemade treat — one that travels in a tote bag better than muffins. You can eat granola by the handful with a cup of coffee or run out for fresh fruit and yogurt and have a more substantial meal.
Later in the afternoon, if people are hungry, granola makes a great snack. It's so easy to tailor to your own taste, too, so it's an even more personal, "signature" gift.
We've covered granola quite well in the past. Here are some recipes from The Kitchn:
And a few more from the web:
Related: Weekend Getaways: Best Gifts for Hosts
(Image: MarthaStewart.com)
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A few of my favorite recipes:
Traveler's Lunchbox - http://www.travelerslunchbox.com/journal/2007/6/9/the-lip-ladys-secret-granola.html
Orangette -
http://orangette.blogspot.com/2008/03/all-we-ever-really-want-to-do.html
Been out of granola for a few days, really need to make some soon!
view thesamanthafiles 's profile
Great idea too, btw, to bring granola! :)
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Does anyone have any suggestions for making granola that clumps a little more? Mine always seems to end up mostly looking like loose granola, which is harder to eat by the handful.
Is it about stirring less? Using more oil/butter? (I tend to use little to none.) Thin out the honey/maple syrup more?
I've been experimenting for a while now and would love it if someone knew the shortcut. Thanks!
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Anntlope - There's a few things you can do. More sugar certainly helps, so more honey/maple syrup. You can also try apple juice concentrate too, should help it clump.
Also take a look at the granola I linked to above from Traveler's Lunchbox. She uses a combo of quick oats and oat flour (just whizz oats in a food pro until powdery), and that really helps make nice clusters! That way you don't have to up the sugar usage, and you'll get nice little clusters.
Finally, when putting your granola onto the sheet pans, squeeze handfuls of it together a bit. That helps a bit too.
view thesamanthafiles 's profile
thesamanthafiles - thank you! I checked out the Lip Lady Granola link after I posted (oops) and noted some of the changes. I'm thinking trying sugar-AND-viscose-sweetener- combo might help, too. . .
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