The Greatest Granola Recipe
Granola is the perfect breakfast cereal. Loaded with protein and natural fiber, it's a great way for you and the kids to start the day or get a quick mid-morning or afternoon "pick me up." The delicious combination of tastes and textures keeps this from tasting like health food (even though it really is). Feel free to change the types of nuts, dried fruits or the kind of sweetener, so you can customize your own favorite concoction. Serve with milk for breakfast or sprinkle on yogurt for lunch. Or simply enjoy out of hand as a snack.
Yield: about 6 cups
At-a-Glance Recipe Guide:
Cooking muscle required: One
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking temp: 350F
Cooking time: 15 to 25 minutes
Cooling time: 20 minutes
Do ahead potential: Granola can be made and stored in an airtight canister at room temperature for 2 months. Refrigerate for longer storage potential.
Summary
Preparation Time20 MinCooking Time55 Min
Ready In1 Hr 15 MinDifficulty LevelMedium
Health IndexAverageServings6
SpecialityPart of Menu
Ingredients
* 2 cups regular (not quick cooking) rolled oats
* 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened desiccated (dried) coconut
* 1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
* 1/2 cup unprocessed wheat bran
* 1 cup whole nuts toasted and chopped (a combination of unsalted macadamias, blanched toasted almonds, hulled sunflower seeds, pistachios and/or walnuts)
* 1/3 cup canola oil
* 1/2 cup mild honey or pure maple syrup or unsweetened apple juice
* 1 scant teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
* 1 cup chopped assorted dried fruits (any combination of apricots, pitted prunes, cherries, pitted dates, figs or light and dark raisins)
Directions
1) To set up: Preheat the oven to 350o F. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together rolled oats, coconut, wheat germ, wheat bran and toasted nuts.
2) To prepare the granola: In a small saucepan, heat the oil, over low heat. Add honey, maple syrup or apple juice and stir well to combine. Heat until just hot throughout and then stir in cinnamon. Let heat a few seconds to release the flavor of the spice. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and almond extracts. Pour this over the dry mixture and stir well to combine.
3) To bake: Pour the granola onto a large shallow baking sheet and bake stirring every 5 minutes or so, until the mixture is golden throughout. This will take 15 to 20 minutes; if using apple juice, bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
4) To complete and store: Stir dried fruit into hot granola mixture. Let cool thoroughly (once cool, the granola will feel crisp). Scrape the mixture up from the bottom of the baking sheet, allowing it to form small clumps. Put the granola in an airtight container and store at room temperature.
2) To prepare the granola: In a small saucepan, heat the oil, over low heat. Add honey, maple syrup or apple juice and stir well to combine. Heat until just hot throughout and then stir in cinnamon. Let heat a few seconds to release the flavor of the spice. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and almond extracts. Pour this over the dry mixture and stir well to combine.
3) To bake: Pour the granola onto a large shallow baking sheet and bake stirring every 5 minutes or so, until the mixture is golden throughout. This will take 15 to 20 minutes; if using apple juice, bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
4) To complete and store: Stir dried fruit into hot granola mixture. Let cool thoroughly (once cool, the granola will feel crisp). Scrape the mixture up from the bottom of the baking sheet, allowing it to form small clumps. Put the granola in an airtight container and store at room temperature.
Questions, Comments and Reviews
By Same Chef
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