yogurt parfaits with apple + homemade granola

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. When we were younger, my mother kicked-off the weekend by making our most treasured breakfast dishes and that meant, she became a short-order cook for a couple of hours as she prepared each of our requests with love and smiles. To this day, I don’t know anyone who can make an omelette like she can. She told me the secret to perfect omelette- making is using ample butter and tenting the pan with foil for a short while to allow the heat to circulate evenly. Sometimes when I ask her to come over for breakfast, I rope her into doing the omelets because frankly, mine just don’t compare.

My children have followed in my footsteps, as they also enjoy a hearty breakfast.  Unfortunately during the hustle and bustle of busy weekday mornings, it isn’t possible to indulge in the breakfast fare we prefer, and so we make Saturday morning brunch a true feast. Fluffy, golden pancakes top our must-have list and although I prefer them topped with yogurt, lemon zest and berries, my children favor bananas, chocolate and sweet maple syrup-not that I can blame them.  It really is the most decadent way to start the day.

Recently however, I have become completely fixated on homemade granola. I made a couple of different batches before I settled on one that is a wonderful blend of all the flavors I love-subtly sweet with hints of maple, coconut and pecans. I’ve been eating it all weekend topped with thick, plain yogurt and fresh fruit.  It’s the perfect way to start the day and if kept in an airtight container, the granola will last for weeks. I’ll never purchase store-bought granola again and after seeing this recipe, I doubt you will either. It’s remarkably simple and absolutely delicious.

pancakes topped with yogurt, lemon zest and raspberries

Comments

[BessyN]

This is going in my 'saved' folder. I simply can't find a packaged granola I like...
Thanks!