Monday, July 11, 2011

Grain Powered

Do your kids play hard? Do you work hard? Around here, I'd like to think we do things with gusto - work hard, play hard, sleep hard! So, today I decided to try a hard core snack for my little crew. I modified the original recipe a bit to accommodate my pantry. Disclaimer: The original called these "bars," but mine never really stuck together enough to be cut. When I tried, I decided this was more of a granola type deal. ;0) Enjoy!



1 1/2 cup crispy brown rice cereal (these are like Rice Krispies, but made from brown rice)
1 1/4 cup rolled oats (I'm sure you could use quick oats, but I used rolled)
1 cup dried fruit (I used 1/2 cup dried cranberries and 1/2 cup dried blueberries)
3/4 cup nuts (I used pecans, which are more kid-friendly around here than walnuts)
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup oat bran
3 T crystallized ginger
1 cup pure maple syrup (orig called for brown rice syrup)
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 t salt
1 t vanilla

Combine cereal, nuts, oats, oat bran, dried fruit, and ginger in a large bowl. Bring syrup, sugar and salt to boil, stir about a minute. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour over dry mixture until well coated. Spread into a prepared 9x13 pan (recipe called fro coconut oil. I just used Pam.) Allow to set (like I said, mine never did - so if you allow it to cool, then just dig in, I think you'll be satisfied.)
~ recipe adapted from Heidi Swanson, Super Natural Cooking
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