I eat 1/2 box of Trader Joes Vanilla Almond Granola almost every morning. I love the stuff, usually having it with rice milk and either a banana or some fresh blueberries. But I realized how much trash I was generating and thought maybe I'd start buying in bulk at Whole Foods and storing it in my own containers. When I discussed my plan with my coworker, she suggested I just make my own.
Why hadn't I thought of that? I love to cook and love to eat granola, but never considered making my own. Here is where I need some help. My first attempt was a recipe I found online for some "Hippie Granola". (I thought this might have some "magic" ingredients like the pancakes I had in Amsterdam many years ago. They sure were good until later that night when I passed out by the fire and had to be carried back to my tent). Back to my granola, the mixture turned out to be very moist and tasty, which was great for snacking but too wet when I added milk (see below). Next I got a recipe from a friend and this time it came out too dry and didn't really clump up like I want.
So which one of you Deadhead, crunchy, Martha Stewart friends of mine has a great tried and true granola recipe I can try out?
BTW, here is the Hipppie Granola (which I adapted from http://www.slashfood.com/2007/08/31/a-granola-recipe-from-my-moms-hippie-youth/)
2 cups rolled oats (not instant)
1 cup cashews
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup toasted sunflower seeds
1/4 cup toasted wheat germ
1/2 cup dried cranberries or diced cherries
1/2 cup dried fruit, diced (I used apricots, cantaloupe-yummy and pineapple)
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup honey
1. Mix the oat, nuts and grains in a large bowl.
2. Measure oil into the measuring cup and swirl it around before pouring into bowl.
3. Then measure out the honey in the same, unwashed cup. The oil will help the honey exit the cup.
4. Toss everything together until evenly coated and then pour out into a baking pan. I used a glass baking dish (perhaps that is what made it so moist?)
5. Bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes, turning it with a spatula every ten minutes or so. You want everything to be an even golden brown.
6. When it is finished cooking, returned the baked granola to the mixing bowl, add the raisins and fruit and stir to combine.
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http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/granola-recipe/index.html
ReplyDeleteIt has sugar but you can use honey or use less, but it is the best tasting and can be shaped into bars or just put into a jar for consumption. You could also up the amount of oats in your original recipe, or cook longer to create a dryer granola.
Hey Rich,
ReplyDeleteHere's a tasty granola recipe for you. You can substitute honey or agave nectar for the Karo syrup.
Granola
3 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup coconut flakes, unsweeteend
3 tablespoons flax seeds
3 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/4 cup sunflower or pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup toasted mixed nuts, chopped (I used pistachios and almonds here)
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
3 tablespoons Brown Sugar flavored Karo Syrup
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups mixed dried fruit (I used raisins and dried cherries and cranberries here)
Preheat the oven to 375. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the dried fruit. Stir well to incorporate.
Spread the mixture on the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out into an even layer. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes (depending on the depth of goldenness you’re looking for), stirring every 10 minutes.
Remove the granola from the oven and and cool completely, in its pan, on a wire wrack. Once the granola is cool, mix in the dried fruit.
I am returning to being a vegetarian; I was years ago but got distracted. I had bellyaches from eating meat; for some reason the lightbulb when on recently when I realized it's a sign to not to eat meat. Somehow the universe led me to your website and your blog.
After sobering up four years ago and stopping smoking two years ago (after 25 years) I gained serious tonnage. But a every journey starts with a single step and everything from here on out can be progress if I remain diligent and positive.
Anyway, great website and blog!
Thanks again,
TonyB/Columbus OH