I promise, I will get to this granola in a sec 
…
If you’re a decently regular reader here, you may know I recently moved to Florida. Back in July, I shared celebratory key lime pie bites (btw, I’ve located key limes down here, woohoo!) with you while announcing I’d be heading to the sunshine state to begin a doctoral program. I’ve been meaning to share a few more details every since then, but life has been fairly chaotic for me between European travels and moving 20 hours away.
When I’m not having a blast baking cookies with Greek yogurt, my main passion in life is sports. I don’t just mean running and obsessing over watching Syracuse basketball — no, I’m (oddly?) fascinated with sports marketing, sponsorship, consumer behavior, etc. I began researching doctoral programs last summer and, fast forward to this past spring, I was offered a great opportunity to study at Florida State University. A quick visit and a lot of pro/con lists later, I decided to take the plunge and go for it. I love New York and love being near my family, but a few years of my life in Florida can’t be too bad. 
Anyway, today is my first official day of school! I’m nervous but excited, and mostly very honored to have the opportunity to study something I’m so passionate about. I’m not sure where this will take me in the future, but in the meantime, I’m going to try to enjoy the process as much as possible.
As for this blog, I’m hopeful that it won’t change much as I bury myself in studying and researching over the next few years. I’m pretty sure baking a batch of cookies every now and then will be good for my sanity as a doctoral student – right, Erin?! Plus, if this whole school thing doesn’t work out, I need to keep my baking skills sharp so Kris and I can launch our bakery in Portland.
OK, enough rambling. Let’s move on to something else… something crunchy!
Did you guys know today is National Banana Lover’s Day? Ha, crazy right? Well, according to this website it is. So we must celebrate.
I mentioned last week I’m dealing with lots of overripe bananas these days, and I’m also becoming increasingly dependent on quick snacks. My favorite as of late (no surprise?) is Greek yogurt, with granola on top. I don’t mind buying granola at the store (Earth Fare makes delicious granola — in the bakery section!) but it’s so easy (and cheap!) to make my own, so I often do. Anyway… I grabbed my super-ripe bananas and a few other ingredients and in no time, was snacking on this banana nut granola.
You can dress up this granola even more by tossing in some chocolate chips at the end, or even adding chopped nuts to the mix. Really, do what you want with it, just make sure the bananas are there, if you love ‘em.
For the serious banana lover — crunchy granola with a strong banana and subtly nutty flavor. Make the granola your own by adding chocolate chips, dried fruit, or nuts. Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Makes about 2 cups Heat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet or pan with parchment paper. In a small mixing bowl, stir the banana, peanut butter, and honey until mixed well. Add the oats; toss until coated. Spread the mixture onto the prepared pan, making sure to separate any clumps (make them whatever size you like). Bake 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the granola is toasted and light golden brown. Allow the granola to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
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It happens to be Natl Banana Lovers Day today! Perfect timing with this and love how simple it is and the bananas + PB combo!
Bananas + PB combo is one of the best combos out there, I’d say. You know, after chocolate + PB
simple ingredients really can make something delicious! I love the short ingredient list AND they are all things people usually have on hand. I’m a granola girl, too. It gets me through the day! Love PB + banana together
Yes, you’re my granola blogging buddy, ha! Seriously, I think I’m going to start baking a batch of it every week — so cost effective and tasty!
The granola looks soooo good! I can’t make or buy granola here because I will eat the entire thing in one sitting. It is one of those things that I have no will power for. I think I’ve been like this since i was a kid. Best of luck with the start of school. Following your passion into school is always an excellent idea and there will be so many options for your when you return. Plus, there are so many New Yorkers and deli’s in FL that at times it may feel like home : ) Maybe I just say that becasue all of my NY relateives retire to FL…ha ha! Looking forward to hearing about the cookies and the classes!
Haha… when I make it I usually seal it in a container and put it out of eyesight so that I’m not tempted to eat it all at once! Thank you for the good luck, and yes, I sort of feel like I’m in NY #2 down here
This looks delicious! And welcome to Tallahassee.
Thanks! Are you in Tallahassee?
I am in Tallahassee and have been here for most of my life. Hope you enjoy your time here – and I am glad your first week of school wasn’t interrupted by a hurricane!
Oh, how fun! Yes, very good that Isaac skipped over us (although I was sort of excited to get outer bands of rain/wind — we didn’t even get that!)
good luck with your first day! enjoy and keep us posted!
Thanks Lindsay, will do!
So proud and excited for you, my dear! Though the CDNYeatdrinkblog extended family already misses you dearly!!!
Thank you thank you! You know, I’ll be home mid-December… holiday meetup?!
OMG yes, baking = sanity
I thought you’d agree
I’m 3 days in and already have a batch of cookies on the agenda for today, ha!
this sounds amazing, Liz! I love the short whole food ingredient list… I need to let a banana or two ripen on the counter…
congrats on your first day – hope it is going great – how exciting to be back in school…
You’re right, very short list and whole foods — what can I say, sometimes I leave the sugary cereals and marshmallows in the pantry and work with simpler things.
This looks delicious! I was actually just thinking about how to use my overripe banana. Question — when should I add the mini chocolate chips? I may add little crushed up pretzel pieces for a salty crunch too.
Hi Larissa, sorry for the delayed reply! You can add the chocolate chips in the last 5 minutes of baking. Basically, the later you wait to add them, the less likely that they’ll melt. So if you’re looking for a “whole” chocolate chip (not a melted one) in your granola, add them at the very end (or even wait to toss them in once the granola finishes baking). Love the idea of the pretzel add, too!
Oh… and good luck!!!
Any suggestions on peanut butter substitute for those with peanut allergies?
I’m so excited for you, and I hope you enjoy every moment while you are pursuing your dreams! Best of luck in your studies!!
I also just wanted to respond to Hannah’s comment above – I use SunButter instead of PB; it’s good stuff.
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