Granola Girl

Another task that I tried for the first time last weekend was making homemade granola. I had NO IDEA how easy this was. And it knocks the socks off any granola I’ve ever had from the grocery cereal aisle! I love granola but have noticed lately that it’s got a Rice-Krispy like “filler” in it that I’m not crazy about.

I tried several combinations, but this one is my favorite.

HOMEMADE GRANOLA
3 C rolled oats (not instant)
1 C slivered almonds
¼ C sesame seeds
½ C toasted sunflower seeds
½ C coconut
¼ C toasted wheat germ
2 t. cinnamon
¼ t. salt
½ C raisins
½ C dried fruit such as cherries, apples, prunes; diced small
2/3 C cooking oil
½ C honey or maple syrup (the real thing, not “maple flavored” syrup)
½ C brown sugar

Mix the oat, nuts, seeds, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl. Mix together the oil and honey or maple syrup. Add brown sugar and mix. Pour liquid mixture over the grain mixture and toss until evenly coated. Pour into roasting pan or cookie sheet with a rim.Bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes, stirring carefully every 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely. Break up any large chunks. Add raisins or other dried fruits.Store in an airtight container.

This whole recipe is completely customizable. If you don’t like coconut, leave it out! Want pumpkin seeds? Toss ‘em in! I think I like honey more than maple syrup and dried cherries better than dried apples.

Every morning this week I’ve started the day with a bowl of vanilla yogurt, topping it with some cut up fruit (strawberry season!) and filling the rest of the bowl with granola!

From UrbanDictionary.com:
Granola Girl: Modern hippy woman minus the heroin and STD's. Socially aware and active with a penchant for hemp and sodium-free soap. May eat tofu for breakfast and sweeten food with agave syrup. Is determined to save the world.

You know you're granola when you strap your five thousand dollar bike to your five hundred dollar car and vote for Ralph Nader.