My 15 Minutes of Fame

Being on a live television show has been quite an experience for me. The first time I appeared on television was on CNN in 2009. I entered their New York City studio and was escorted to a dark room, asked to wear an earpiece and to look straight into a light straight ahead of me. All I heard was the interviewers voice in my ear. Weird. However, I had my makeup professionally done for the show and THAT was fun.

Live television from my living room is another story. My first FOX8 New Day Cleveland appearance in September of 2019 was in their studio which was buzzing with guests and a HUGE animated dinosaur who happened to precede my segment. The dinosaur had several handlers and nearly knocked down the props on the set I was to appear on. The interviewer, David Moss, told me just to pretend it was the two of us talking and don't focus on anything else. And, that's just what I did.

Since COVID, live guests of New Day Cleveland have not been doing their segments in the studio, but rather over FaceTime. Takes a little getting used to, however, once you hear the producer say we're rolling, just start talking. I'm fortunate to have worked with David Moss and Natalie Herbick this past year and Fridays segment with Natalie was downright fun. These two hosts know Cleveland and go out of their way to make their guests feel welcome and engaged. They are such big supporters of the businesses in Northeast Ohio, especially small businesses like Pat's Granola. If ever there was a year to shop small, buy local, 2020 is THAT year.

Now, getting the corner of my living room into "studio shape" was another story. I got up at 2 a.m. and started prepping the studio and food for the segment. I've learned that simple foods work best and people love to be able to recreate some of the recipes, which I share here. Added a few holiday decorations to the tables I'd be using, set up some additional lights and tested to make sure everything was working. 

The segment is here. https://fox8.com/on-air/new-day-cleveland/get-festive-with-granola/?

Here's the recipe for the Cinnamon eggnog scones that I shared on New Day Cleveland. Simply add a sprinkling of your favorite granola onto the scones before baking. They really are delicious. Not too sweet and perfect with coffee, tea or hot cocoa.

And who's up for baking apples? They're easy and I like that apples are usually available year round.

Here's how I make baked apples:

Wash a few of your favorite apples; then core (I use Macoun, Rome, Braeburn, Mutsu, Winesap or Honeycrisp). Drizzle a few tsps of honey or maple syrup into the core. Sprinkle 1-2 tsp granola into the core and place apples in a baking dish.

Pour 1/4 cup orange juice or apple cider around the apples--just enough to cover the bottom of your baking dish. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Apples may burst their skins, but that's ok...they'll be cooked at that point.

Serve warm with a little cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. Perfect.

Pat Bennett is the founder and President of Pat's Granola, a Cleveland based food company. Pat's Granola is sold online at www.patsgranola.com and is also available at several Northeast Ohio businesses including:

Troubadour Coffee Roasters www.troubadourcoffeeroasters.com

Sports and Spine Physical Therapy www.sportspine.com

Local Flavors Shoppe www.localflavors.net

Rittman Orchards and Farm Market www.rittmanorchards.com

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport www.clevelandairport.com

Locle Box www.loclebox.com

Good Foods Brands www.goodfoodbrands.org

Market Wagon Northeast Ohio www.marketwagon.com

Made Cleveland www.madecleveland.com