The Doggie Ate My Granola

My husband and I have a dog named Charley.  He is likely the sweetest dog you could ever meet.  He's also smart and very protective, which is helpful in our neighborhood.

Charley has a weakness, however.  Food.  He cannot get enough.  His large appetite paired with his large size and intelligence means a constant vigilance on our part to prevent him from getting into food.  I envy friends who have small dogs who can't reach on top of kitchen counters and shelves or into cabinets.  Sigh.

For the most part, I have learned from my mistakes.  It only takes one loss to learn what Charley is capable of reaching or opening, but morning is a bad time for my memory.  If I'm rushing out the door and focused on helping my husband not forget his belongings, I sometimes forget those previous mistakes.

You know where this is going, right?

I was tired.  I stayed up late the night before making granola to enjoy for my breakfast the rest of the week.  It smelled so good, and I really enjoyed the one bowl I had.  But, then, we were in a hurry.  I remembered to put away everything, well, almost everything.  I forgot the container of granola that was still sitting on the back of the kitchen counter...easily in reach of our long and lean dog.

Well, Charley loved the granola.  I think you will agree with him, but I hope your dog does not.


Charley's Granola
Makes about 5 cups
(Modified from Molly Wizenberg's recipe)

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped nuts (I used pecans and almonds)
1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut
3 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup honey
2 Tbsp agave syrup
2 Tbsp canola oil
1 cup raisins (or other dried fruit)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.  Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment.

Mix oats, nuts, coconut, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and salt in a large bowl.

In a small saucepan, combine honey, agave syrup, and oil and stir over medium-low heat until smooth.

Pour honey mixture over oat mixture and toss.

Spread onto prepared baking sheet.

Bake for about 40 minutes or until golden; stirring every 10 minutes.

Stir baked granola and let cool on sheet.  Once cool, mix in raisins.

Store in airtight (and dog-proof) container.  Stays fresh about 1 week, if you keep Charley away.