Like many, I'm guilty of having a pantry loaded with convenient snack foods but lately I've grabbed for pure ingredients and taken to concocting my own tasty treats. Charged with "snack duty" at my 3 girls' school, I challenged myself to create some simple but satisfying alternatives to the usual suspects.  This granola is perfect alone or atop oatmeal, yogurt or ice cream.  Popcorn on the stove top is all the more exciting with a shake of colored sprinkles.  Ready for some noshing? 

   

Morey Girls' Granola 

I'd like to say my children love this granola because of all the healthy stuff but I think the addition of the marshmallows and mini-chocolate chips grabs their attention and their tastebuds!

  1. 4 cups of rolled oats (not quick cooking)
  2. 1/2 cup of pecans halved
  3. 1 cup almonds sliced
  4. 1/2 cup of sunflower seeds
  5. 1 teaspoon salt (kosher)
  6. 1/2 cup shredded coconut
  7. 2 tablespoons raw sugar
  8. 1/2 cup of maple syrup
  9. 1/4 cup of molasses 
  10. 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
  11. 1 teaspoon of vanilla
  12. 1 cup of dried fruit(I used rasins and crasins)
  13. 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips
  14. 1/2 cup small marshmallows

Heat the oven to 350 degrees

Toss the above ingredients numbers 1-11 and cook for approx 25 minutes tossing occasionally.

When it's golden brown, remove from the over

Once it has fully cooled, toss with ingredients 12-14.


Popcorn for Playdates
 
When my girls' friends come to play the most requested snack at our house is POPCORN! I never really thought anything of popping popcorn on the stove.  In my opinion it just tastes better and I figured that most people felt the same.  Well, apparently I'm one of the few holdouts!  Now, their friends gather around the stove top like they've never seen such a site - popcorn being popped in a pot!  I don't always add sprinkles, but they do love it.  Cooking it in olive oil offers a nice variation on taste.

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3/4 cup popcorn
  • 1 teaspoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 tablespoons of your favorite colored sprinkles

Heat the oil and add the popcorn, close with a lid

It should take 5 minutes or less of high heat popping

When the popping slows down-turn off the heat so it doesn't burn

Toss with salt, butter, and sprinkles