Snack or Breakfast: Granola
When attempting to find a granola recipe online, if you're like me, you'll be daunted by the unlimited variations. I've made several different recipes, and when it comes down to it, there are 5 things are incorporated into every recipe, but will vary from one type of granola to the next::
1. the base: oats. sometimes supplemented with flour, ground seeds, etc
2. your choice of nuts and/or seeds (although it can be omitted to your liking)
3 your choice of dried fruits (although it can be omitted to your liking)
4. "binding": in the way of syrup, oil, honey, etc
5. the appropriate cooking temperature and time
Granola
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup cashew pieces
3/4 cup shredded sweet coconut
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 tsp salt
2 tablespoons vanilla
1 cup mixed dried berries (cherries, cranberries, apricot)
3/4 cup ground flax seed
In a large bowl, mix oats, nuts, coconut and flax seed. In small bowl, mix syrup, oil, salt, and vanilla. Slowly blend wet and dry mixture. Spread evenly among 2 large pans. Bake at 250 for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to avoid burning.
Remove from oven, add berries, and mix thoroughly. Let cool.
Recipe adapted from the food network's Alton Brown recipe. I forgot the brown sugar, but didn't even notice until right now, so it's really not necessary. I added ground flax seed just for the heck of it :)
How I like to enjoy my granola, with Brown Cow yogurt & fresh fruit:
