Thursday, December 16, 2010

Granola Goodness

Granola


There are many opinions about breakfast, but in this household it seems easier to carpe our diem with a filling meal under our belts. Granola is our usual breakfast of choice, and I've been tweaking this recipe for a long time.

I try to make two batches at a time to save myself trouble. Granola freezes nicely, but I have never had to freeze any since marriage!
The biggest mistake with granola is scorching it by trying to get it to clump in the oven. Granola actually clumps as it cools, not as it cooks. To get softer granola pile it deep in a lasagna pan. For crunchier granola try a cookie sheet. If I am missing any particular ingredient like oat bran, I substitute the same amount of oatmeal.
Download the printable version 
Granola

Ingredients
  • 8 c rolled oats
  • 1 1/2 c wheat germ
  • 1 1/2 c oat bran
  • 1 c sunflower seeds
  • 1 c finely chopped almonds
  • 1 c finely chopped pecans
  • 1 c finely chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 t salt
  • 1/4 c brown sugar
  • 1/2 c honey
  • 1 c vegetable oil
  • 1 t ground cinnamon
  • 1 t vanilla extract
  • 1 c raisins
  • 1 c mixed dried fruit
  • 1/4 c flax seed
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment or aluminum foil. Combine the oats, wheat germ, oat bran, sunflower seeds, almonds, pecans, and walnuts in a large bowl.
Stir together the salt, brown sugar, honey, oil, cinnamon, and vanilla in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then pour over the dry ingredients and stir to coat. Spread the mixture out evenly on the baking sheets. Bake until crispy and toasted, about 20 minutes. Stir once halfway through.
Cool, then stir in fruit and flax seed before storing in an airtight container.
Download the printable version

3 comments:

Jill said...

Lydia, how much maple syrup? This sounds heavenly and I can't wait to try it!!

celie said...

Jill, That's what I get for copying and pasting without reading as carefully as you! No maple syrup. I have eliminated it because there was just too much sugar in the original recipe, and maple syrup is precious and expensive! If you want to use some, substitute some of the honey or brown sugar.

Unknown said...

Thanks. Now I know how to make cereal!! :)

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