i love oats and celebrate (aka. stuff my face with) them in many forms. i love oats like a fat kid loves cake, and like bubba loves shrimp.

anyways, like i was sayin, oats are like the ... uh... grain of super heros. you can bake it, boil it, microwave it, saute it (maybe). there's oat cookies, oat pies, oat bars, oat bread. pan-fried, deep-fried, stir-fried (?). there's cinnamon oats, coconut oats, banana oats, oats in a jar, oats in your yogurt...

unlike bubba's shrimps, i think this list can go on. here's a classic way to use oats: make granola!

(rando fact about me: forrest gump is my favorite movie, or at least in my top 3.)

cranberry almond butter granola

makes 1.5 cups, six 1/4 cup servings

• 2 tbsp creamy almond butter
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon 
• dash of salt if almond butter is unsalted
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries (or any other dried fruit)

directions:

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees, and grease a medium-sized cookie sheet
2. in a small bowl, mix almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt 
3. melt mixture by heating in microwave for 20-30 seconds 
4. in a larger bowl, mix oats and slivered almonds
5. pour almond butter mix over oats and stir, using a spatula to make sure oats are evenly coated
6. spread oats onto cookie sheet 
7. bake for 15-20 minutes, giving them a shuffle around 10 minutes
8. let cool on cookie sheet for a few and add cranberries 
9. stuff your face enjoy!

and because i'm a health nut, nutrition facts for this recipe (per 1/4 cup). pretty awesome specs, perfect for the super hero in you.

inspired by: http://www.pbfingers.com/2011/06/14/peanut-butter-granola/.>