Sweet Granola Goodness (Savin' Lives Granola Bars)

Now that we're in the hospital 3 days a week, grab and go foods have reemerged into my diet. I carpool with a friend in the morning - she brings the coffee and I whip up the breakfast sandwiches, and we enjoy our mornings on the road. With breakfast at 6 am every morning, by lunchtime/ after care discussion at 12, I'm starving!! Necessity is the mother of new recipes, so I made some granola bars for us to throw in our bags, along with the iTouch, stethoscope, penlight, alcohol wipes, reflex hammer, black pen, medical tape, bandage scissors, name tag, security badge and other various nursing paraphernalia that we're forced to lug around with us.

These were a little frustrating because they didn't stay together terribly well, but I think it's because I used half left over Bear Naked Granola and half rolled oats. Next time I'm going to do it with just the oats (since I used up all the granola) and probably some wheat germ (which I didn't have at the time). That should improve the consistency and make them hold their shape better. Otherwise, cut the honey down to 1/3 cup.

(Mid morning deliciousness!)

Savin' Lives Granola Bars
(adapted from Alton Brown)

1-1/2 cup Bare Naked granola (I used vanilla almond)
1-1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup pecans
1/2 cup honey
1/4 packed dark brown sugar
2 Tbsp butter
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 to 1-1/2 cup dried fruit

Toast the oats and pecans on a cookie sheet in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. While they're toasting, combine brown sugar, honey, butter, vanilla and salt over medium heat until completely combined. Remove the oats and pecans from the oven, turning it down to 300. Combine oats, pecans, granola mixture and dried fruit, then add sugar mixture. Stir until all the oat mixture is completely coated. Press into an 8x8 greased pan and bake at 300 for 20-25 minutes. Cool completely and cut into bars. I wrapped them individually for easy access in the morning.

(No time to sit down and eat - we're busy savings lives!!

...well, maybe assisting a little.)