Reading Comprehension – How to make granola

Welcome to the ABA English blog!

We all know that a healthy body = healthy brain. And a healthy brain will learn better, right? So today’s English class will be all about learning new vocabulary words from the kitchen AND leaning how to make a healthy snack. Win win.

This is why today we will be showing you how to make granola. What is granola? Granola is a mixture of oats and other ingredients (such as brown sugar, raisins, coconut, or nuts) that is eaten especially for breakfast or as a snack.

Let’s do this!

Ingredients

4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

2 cups sliced almonds

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup good honey

1 1/2 cups small diced dried apricots

1 cup small diced dried figs

1 cup dried cherries

1 cup dried cranberries

1 cup roasted, unsalted cashews

How to make granola

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Toss the oats, coconut, and almonds together in a large bowl. Whisk together the oil and honey in a small bowl. Pour the liquids over the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated. Pour onto a 13 by 18 by 1-inch sheet pan. Bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until the mixture turns a nice, even, golden brown, about 45 minutes.

Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool, stirring occasionally. Add the apricots, figs, cherries, cranberries, and cashews. Store the cooled granola in an airtight container.

Vocabulary

Rolled oats – oats that have been husked and crushed. Husked means to remove the usually thin, dry layer.

Oats – a kind of grain that is widely grown.

Shredded – to cut or tear (something) into long, thin pieces.

Sliced – to cut something with a sharp object (such as a knife).

Diced – to cut (food) into small cubes.

Dried – used to describe foods and plants that have had all their liquid removed so that they will last for a long time.

Toss – to stir or mix (something) lightly.

Whisk – to stir or beat (eggs, sauces, etc.) with a whisk or fork.

Pour – to cause (something) to flow in a steady stream from or into a container or place.

Mixture – something made by combining two or more ingredients.

Stir – to mix (something) by making circular movements in it with a spoon or similar object.

Coat – to cover (something or someone) with a thin layer of something.

Pan – a usually shallow and open metal container that has a handle and that is used for cooking or baking.

Bake – to make (food, such as bread and cake) by preparing a dough, batter, etc., and cooking it in an oven using dry heat.

Spatula – a kitchen tool that has a long handle and short, soft blade and that is used especially for mixing, spreading, etc..

Remove – to move or take (something) away from a place.

Allow – to permit (something) : to regard or treat (something) as acceptable.

Store – to put (something that is not being used) in a place where it is available, where it can be kept safely, etc.

Airtight –  tightly sealed so that no air can get in or out.