It's been nearly three weeks, and I am slowly adjusting to my new life as a graduate student in Champaign, Illinois. As I write this, a magnificent Midwestern thunderstorm is rolling over the prairie and into town, reminding me that there is much more to this great state than I often acknowledge, and that I am lucky to be able to experience it. I feel sad about the life I left behind in Chicago, disappointed that I am behind on personal projects as the summer nears an end, and apprehensive about finding my place in this new town alone. At the same time, it is exciting that the unfamiliar faces I met two weeks ago are becoming classmates, colleagues and – slowly – friends. My courses and my assistantship are interesting, and I have enthusiasm for the projects I will be working on this year.
As I explore my neighborhood, I've been astonished at the number of apple trees and patches of wild lavender I've found. I am adapting to the infrequent public transit and I've happily found some wonderful Asian food markets and an adequate generic grocery store within easy walking distance. I live in an actual house for the first time since I left my parent's home ten years ago and my roommates are lovely. A series of weddings and family reunions has had me traveling every weekend recently, but I am looking forward to a Saturday trip to Mirabelle Bakery and the farmers market next weekend.
During times of transition, a good meal can provide great comfort. The first thing I baked in my new home was a batch of this simple granola. Paired with thick yogurt and a pinch of coarse sea salt for breakfast, my mornings feel a bit calmer.
Pumpkin Spice Granola Recipe
Ingredients
3 C old-fashioned rolled oats
3/4 C roasted pumpkin seeds
¼ C ground flax seed
¾ C maple syrup
½ C extra virgin olive oil
½ C packed brown sugar
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice*
¾ C raisins
Method
Preheat oven to 300F. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, except the raisins. Pour mixture onto a heavy baking sheet in an even layer and bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Stir just enough to ensure the granola won’t burn.
When well-toasted and fragrant, remove from the oven and allow to cool. Mix in the raisins and store in an air-tight container.
(*To make your own, combine 1 Tbl cinnamon, ¾ tsp allspice, ½ tsp ground cloves, and 1½ tsp ground ginger. Be sure to measure out only 1 tsp for this recipe.)
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irene - i love the photos in this post!
irene - i love the photos in this post!
Amanda B - I’m so glad that you are getting settled in. I just started classes this week and to say I feel a little out of my league is an understatement. I forgot what its like to get jitters about assignments and papers. But I will hopefully get used to it with time. I’m incredibly jealous that you have a whole house and a fully functional kitchen! What I would give for a stove/oven!!
Amanda B - I’m so glad that you are getting settled in. I just started classes this week and to say I feel a little out of my league is an understatement. I forgot what its like to get jitters about assignments and papers. But I will hopefully get used to it with time. I’m incredibly jealous that you have a whole house and a fully functional kitchen! What I would give for a stove/oven!!
heather - granola got me through many rough times during graduate school as well. i like the maple-pumpkin spice idea, and will have to try as soon as the current coconut-honey version is eaten!
and it looks like you’re already following this advice, but definitely get out to explore. you’ll be glad you did, especially when something totally unexpected presents itself.
cheers,
*heather*
heather - granola got me through many rough times during graduate school as well. i like the maple-pumpkin spice idea, and will have to try as soon as the current coconut-honey version is eaten!
and it looks like you’re already following this advice, but definitely get out to explore. you’ll be glad you did, especially when something totally unexpected presents itself.
cheers,
*heather*
Erin O'Brien - Looks like the perfect pre-autumn treat. :) Thanks for sharing.
Oh! And I love a good farmers market. You best hit it up before summer winds down and the cool air has moved in. Farmers market season never lasts long enough in the Midwest!
Erin O'Brien - Looks like the perfect pre-autumn treat. :) Thanks for sharing.
Oh! And I love a good farmers market. You best hit it up before summer winds down and the cool air has moved in. Farmers market season never lasts long enough in the Midwest!
Lisa - I came across your blog searching for Chicago food bloggers. I just moved to Chicago to start medical school, so I guess that in some ways we may be sharing some new experiences with new schools – maybe we will share the same appetite, too :)
I almost always have a jar full of homemade granola around for breakfast or a snack. This was probably the best I have every made. Thanks for the recipe!
Lisa - I came across your blog searching for Chicago food bloggers. I just moved to Chicago to start medical school, so I guess that in some ways we may be sharing some new experiences with new schools – maybe we will share the same appetite, too :)
I almost always have a jar full of homemade granola around for breakfast or a snack. This was probably the best I have every made. Thanks for the recipe!
Tania - you make granola, go to the berkeley bowl, have a blog, and are a grad student in champaign?
um, want to be friends?
i grew up in berkeley (raised on granola, of course) and am a grad student in english at the u of i. and incidentally, i also have a blog (definitely not as cool, nor as scrumptious). i don’t want to be a creepster, but if you ever need the company of a coffee date, shoot me an email!
Tania - you make granola, go to the berkeley bowl, have a blog, and are a grad student in champaign?
um, want to be friends?
i grew up in berkeley (raised on granola, of course) and am a grad student in english at the u of i. and incidentally, i also have a blog (definitely not as cool, nor as scrumptious). i don’t want to be a creepster, but if you ever need the company of a coffee date, shoot me an email!
Nishta - so glad you’re back–I missed you!
Nishta - so glad you’re back–I missed you!
Jessica - I love granola. Your recipe looks pretty easy.
I was wondering, is the background for your jar your countertop? It looks really neat.
Jessica - I love granola. Your recipe looks pretty easy.
I was wondering, is the background for your jar your countertop? It looks really neat.
christine - Lovely post. I used to play with Granola when I was a teenager, tried different recipes with it. Thanks for sharing this one. If you wont mind I’d love to guide Foodista readers to your post. Just add the foodista widget to the end of this post so it will appear in the Foodista pages and it’s all set, Thanks!
christine - Lovely post. I used to play with Granola when I was a teenager, tried different recipes with it. Thanks for sharing this one. If you wont mind I’d love to guide Foodista readers to your post. Just add the foodista widget to the end of this post so it will appear in the Foodista pages and it’s all set, Thanks!
Gemma - Thank you Irene! Very flattering coming from someone with truly wonderful photos.
Amanda, I hope things are getting of to a great start for you. I admit, I love having a full kitchen, but I bet there are more reasons to leave the house where you are!
Thanks Heather! I have been enjoying roaming around. New things are always exciting, if a bit scary.
You’re right Erin, I’m already fretting about the arrival of November 6th when the market shuts down. Jealous of your year-round produce!
Hello Lisa, that is very flattering, I am so glad you enjoyed it! Best of luck to you in Chicago and with medical school. It is a wonderful town and I hope you enjoy it!
Hello Tania, that is fantastic! I would love to get coffee. I will email you.
Thanks Nistha!
Hello Jessica. I love the pattern too. It is actually the floor in the breezeway between our garage and the main house. I thought it looked so lovely in the sunshine.
Thanks Christine. I’ll look into this when I have a moment.
Gemma - Thank you Irene! Very flattering coming from someone with truly wonderful photos.
Amanda, I hope things are getting of to a great start for you. I admit, I love having a full kitchen, but I bet there are more reasons to leave the house where you are!
Thanks Heather! I have been enjoying roaming around. New things are always exciting, if a bit scary.
You’re right Erin, I’m already fretting about the arrival of November 6th when the market shuts down. Jealous of your year-round produce!
Hello Lisa, that is very flattering, I am so glad you enjoyed it! Best of luck to you in Chicago and with medical school. It is a wonderful town and I hope you enjoy it!
Hello Tania, that is fantastic! I would love to get coffee. I will email you.
Thanks Nistha!
Hello Jessica. I love the pattern too. It is actually the floor in the breezeway between our garage and the main house. I thought it looked so lovely in the sunshine.
Thanks Christine. I’ll look into this when I have a moment.