Apple Cider Granola

I am totally obsessed with the fresh apple cider I’ve been getting at the Farmer’s Market.  Apparently the Northern Virginia area has some wonderful apple orchards.  I had some store bought granola once that was sweetened with apple juice, and as I was chugging down yet another glass of cider last week, I thought, hey, I’ll copy that idea and make some granola out of this stuff.  Of course, if you don’t have apple cider where you are you could use apple juice.  This granola is not very sweet, so if you like your granola to taste like candy, add a little more agave nectar.  The actual apple flavor bakes off, leaving just a hint of apple tart and sweetness.

Ingredients:

2 C oats

1/4 C flaxseed meal

1/2 C slivered almonds (optional)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 TBS agave nectar

1/2 C unpasteurized apple cider

4 TBS melted Earth Balance Buttery Sticks

Instructions:

1.  Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

2.  In a medium bowl, stir together oats, flaxseed, almonds, cinnamon and nutmeg.

3.  Mix in the liquids:  nectar, apple cider, and Earth Balance.

4.  Bake at 300 for 45 minutes, or until toasted and crispy.

5.  Let cool and store in an airtight container.

On This Day in History:  Chana Masala!  Mmm… so good.