Abilene Crave

Ingredients:
        Cooking spray
    1/4    cup sliced almonds
    1     tablespoon light brown
            sugar
    2     teaspoons water
    1/4     teaspoon ground cinnamon
    1/8     teaspoon ground nutmeg
    2     cups whole-grain oat cereal
            with yogurt-flavored
            coating
    2     cups whole-grain wheat
            and bran flakes with
            raisins
    1/2     cup dried unsweetened
            cranberries
    1/2     cup dried unsweetened
            blueberries

Instructions:
Put a piece of aluminum foil about 12 inches square on a platter or baking sheet. Lightly spray with cooking spray. Set aside.

In small nonstick skillet, dry-roast almonds over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until lightly golden brown, stirring occasionally.

Stir in brown sugar, water, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until liquid has evaporated and almonds are coated with mixture, stirring constantly. Transfer
to foil. Let cool completely, 15 to 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, in medium bowl, stir together the remaining ingredients.

Add cooled almonds to cereal mixture, stirring to combine. Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.

Cook's Tip: For variety, substitute different nutrient-dense dried fruits, such as cherries, apricots and plums, for the cranberries and blueberries. Cut them into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces before adding them to the cereal mixture.

Nutrition Analysis (per serving): Calories, 139; Total Fat, 2.0 g; Saturated Fat, 0.5 g; Trans Fat, 0.0 g; Polyunsaturated Fat, 0.5 g; Monounsaturated Fat, 1.0 g; Cholesterol, 0 mg; Sodium, 124 mg; Carbohydrates, 28 g; Fiber, 4 g; Sugars, 15 g; Protein, 2 g; Dietary Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1 starch

This recipe is brought to you by the American Heart Association's Food Certification Program. Recipe copyright (c) 2008 American Heart Association. For more information heart-healthy grocery shopping, visit heartcheckmark.org.