I mentioned yesterday that we started an intensive module class this week. Two weeks of Global Communications everyday from 10:00am to 6:00pm with other visits in addition.
Like this morning, for example… We were going to a conference at Cephalon Pharmaceuticals European headquarters and had to leave the house at 8:30am to arrive on time. This is after being at Le Cordon Bleu last night until past 9:00pm, doing our reading and other homework for today, and trying to get a good night’s sleep before waking up bright and early this morning.
Needless to say it’s been a busy week so far. The visits are all great and class is really interesting, but I was so thankful to have my afternoon free today. I finally got home around 3:00pm this afternoon, and wanted nothing more than to just do something for fun.
I thought I might want to hop on my yoga mat for a little, but I was just too tired. I’m trying this new thing where I actually listen to my body when it’s too tired. You know, like not pushing it when it’s begging me to just chill. Interesting concept, yes? Sarcasm.
Anyway. Taking a cue from my tired bod, I headed to my favorite room in any house – the kitchen.
Lately I’ve been craving granola. I make it all the time back home, but without an oven I haven’t even tried.
Until today.
Stove Top Granola
Since I don’t have a single measuring cup in Paris, this is really more of a method rather than a recipe. It was really easy to make and took all of 15 minutes, so I think it will come in handy even if you do have an oven back home – it’s super quick, and you only dirty up one pan making clean up very easy. Most importantly, it’s delicious.
First, I toasted the oats (maybe about 1.5 to 2 cups) in a dry pan on the stove. And of course by stove, I mean hot plate.
I turned the heat up to medium-high and stirred the oats constantly until they browned.
Next up – Honey. And Butter. Trust me. Butter makes everything better.
I let the butter and honey (maybe about 1tbspn each) melt together in the pan, then added cinnamon, salt, almonds and walnuts. I added the nuts whole, mostly because I don’t have a knife to chop them (gotta love my tiny Parisian kitchen). They would be great chopped too and you could use any nuts you have on hand, or whichever ones you like.
Stop lookin’ at me like I’m nuts. Get it? Granola humor! Enough jokes. Back to the granola…and I’m not referring to myself!
Ok this time, I’m really done.
Once that had all toasted for a bit (maybe 5 minutes), I added the toasted oats back in the pan and let them all mix together.
The oats soaked up the remaining butter and honey and the granola dried out really well making it very crunchy.
I decided to stir in some coconut flakes once it had cooled for a few minutes…
Mmm. I’ve missed my homemade granola, and felt so cozy and happy this afternoon, munching on fresh granola with fromage frais, soaking up my free afternoon, and basking in the glorious smell of cinnamon, honey and butter that lingered in the house after I made it.
You could really make this granola with anything you like in it – dried pineapple would have been great with the coconut in this recipe. Any dried fruit and any nut you like would work great.
Well, this nut is back to the books. Have a good Wednesday!
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Fantastic way to make granola!
It’s always nice to have a little taste of home when you are off and away!
mmmmmmmm, this sounds soo good! i really love the walnuts and almonds…those are my faves! sounds like an amazing meal :)
Great recipe, I need to try this one!
xo
K
I love the idea of homemade granola, though I’ve never attempted it myself.
Oh, and I work as a pharma writer and have done lots of work for Cephalon. How weird!
Stovetop granola sounds so easy, I might just have to try it for myself ;-)
Yum, this sounds great! I never thought of making granola on the stove top. They say necessity is the mother of invention :D
I am trying to lower my intake of sugar so this would be perfect to be able to control how much sugar is in your granola! I will definitely be trying my own homemade granola soon.
Wow, listening to your body when it’s tired. I gotta try that sometime. ;)
Granola looks delicious – very innovative of you my friend, and I bet your apartment smelled amazing!!!
It was as if I could smell you cooking that beautiful, amazing granola! What a great idea to have around….and simple! Thanks for sharing that!
Gah, that looks so easy and delicious. I love how you served it up as well. This is worth trying for the after-smell alone.
Looks absolutely Divine!!
Un seul mot: superbe!
Bonne journée :-)
Hey Courtney! Been reading your blog for a few months now and really enjoy it as a part of my morning routine!
I majored in International Business & French, but have been working in the Finance industry for about 3 years now. At the time I felt like it was my “next step” to a career, but I have found myself completley uninspired and unmotivated!! Sitting in a cube staring at excel just isn’t my cup of tea.. go figure. In my spare time though, I’ve been working towards my certification in Nutrition and practice yoga regularly. I studied abroad in France in college, and absolutely ADORED my time there and can honestly say it was a time in my life when I felt most “alive”.
I’ve been noticing in your posts a few of the classes you are taking over in Paris… seems like it is a mixture of both Business and Cooking classes? Is it a set program or did you select a few electives to take to finish up your major? I ask because I am currently looking at graduate programs and would love to study in France (again), and am interested in both Cooking/Nutrition and International/Intercultural Studies.
Thanks!! Oh and I love the granola recipe!
Yum – that looks really good! I might have to make some. :-)
K
Laura-Ashley,
I’m doing a program through the University of Florida. The program has a theme each semester and this one happened to be arts and history of Paris. No cooking class, but there is one about the globalization of food so we have some food related activities. I’m not sure if there is a graduate program as part of the school I’m at but I know there are TONS of programs of all different areas of study in Paris. I say go for it! :)
This is a hot looking bowl of granola!