Sunday, September 2, 2007

Homemade Granola


Homemade Granola
Mindy Butler
4 cups rolled oats
2 1/2 cups seeds, nuts, coconut, or other add ins to your liking
(I like cashews, coconut, sunflower seeds and almonds)
3/4 cup maple syrup or honey or combination of both
1/4 cup canola oil
hefty dash of vanilla
pinch of salt
In a large bowl mix oats and add ins. (I like to toast the nuts first if they aren't already). In a saucepan heat the oil with the syrup/honey until blended. Add the vanilla and salt (you can also add a dollop of peanut butter at this point). Stir the mixture into the oats and add ins until everything is well coated. Spread mixture into a roasting or broiling pan. Bake at 350, stir every 5-10 min to make the granola crumbly and ensure you don't burn it. Total cooking time is about 30 min or until the mixture is nicely browned. After its all cooled you can add in raisins, crasins or other dried fruit.
I like to eat granola with milk and a large scoop of plain yogurt, and maybe some fresh berries or a cut up banana. The plain yogurt adds so much nutrition (acidophilous is great for balancing the yeast and natural bacteria in your body) and really compliments the granola. This brakfast is a great serving of fiber( from the oats), protein (from the nuts- pick goodones!), calcium (from the milk and yogurt) No extra sugar is needed. What a great way to start the day! Enjoy!

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