Organic Spark and Knock-Your-Socks-Off Granola

I met Molly a little over a year ago. I found her blog and left a comment. She responded in a cheerful, friendly manner. We exchanged emails back and forth until one day I told her I was moving to Southern California. She asked, “So do you want to meet up?” I stared at my screen. Well, I guess so. She seems normal enough. I’d never met up with someone after an email conversation. I said “yes” and we agreed to meet at the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market.

As soon as I spotted her, I liked her. She’s tall (like me) with a cheerful way about her. Conversation quickly started and hasn’t ended since we met. We found our lunch place that we frequent, Huckleberry, and have had many delightful lunches there together.

A few weeks later my kids came along to the market to meet Molly. They instantly fell in love. My kids walked hand-in-hand with her between the stalls, discussing different foods. It’s a blast shopping with her because she’s made a point of getting to know the farmers. As we walk through the market she always greets each one of them by name.

Oh, and did I tell you this woman can cook? Like really cook. I’ve had the privilege to enjoy dinner in her home a couple of times and the way she puts flavors together and cooks with such love can’t be duplicated. A few weeks ago another friend asked me who my favorite cooks are. I think she was expecting me to name off some celebrity chefs, but Molly is one of my all-time favorites. She’s just that good.

Molly’s blog, Apricot Lane Farms, overflows with wonderful recipes, beautiful pictures, and guidance on how to improve our food choices. They have an incredible story, which you can read here. Molly’s really healthy granola is one of the best I’ve ever eaten. Rolled oats, honey, butter, nuts, seeds, coconut, and currants are tossed together and toasted in the oven until crispy. I enjoy eating it over whipped cream for a decadent breakfast or I use it as a crunchy topping for ice cream sundaes.

Check out Apricot Lane Farms. It’s a wonderful resource from one of my favorite cooks.