Just Because You Eat It Doesn't Mean You Are One

Granola that is. You can read the various definitions of granola at Urban Dictionary. I work with some individuals who would proudly wear the label of granola (in varying degrees of definition 1 and some more closely tied to definition 5 ). For this post I am speaking of the granola you eat. I LOVE granola. I have since I was little and my mom would make it. I have purchased it a few times here and there because I enjoy mixing it with my yogurt; however, I do not enjoy paying for the stuff.

I have been working up to making granola for a few months. The main reason being I had to build up my stash of grains and nuts. I purchase many of the items from Azure Standard. On most items I get a better price than I would from a warehouse club store. I have also really enjoyed the spices I have purchased from there. They are so bright in color and smell amazing compared to the spices I was replacing. Sometimes I am willing to pay a little extra for items because I believe the quality is better from Azure. I also like the availability of organic items.

Recently I have been trying out different recipes with varying ingredients and I have found that it is pretty hard to mess up making granola. I have three recipes to share with you and you will see they are similar.

Granola I was delicious with yogurt or with milk. I really liked the addition of the peanut butter chips. Granola II Moo took to school and I take it as a good sign that her teacher wanted the recipe. I tasted a bit and I think next time I will cook it longer. I like crispy granola and Granola II was closer to a soft bar texture. Granola III was excellent with milk or eaten plain. PE liked it for a snack while he was out hunting turkeys. In my cooking that is they highest compliment. . . when PE tells me something is delicious without my prompting.

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Granola I
from Sparky
Print Recipe

12 cups oats (any mixture of quick cooking and regular)
4 cups of dry ingredients (chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, almonds, craisins, coconut, etc.)
(I used 1/2 cup oat bran, 1/2 cup wheat bran, 1/2 cup chai seeds, 1 cup slivered/chopped/whole almonds, 1/2 cup flax meal, 1 cup peanut butter chips)
1 cup canola oil
1 cup honey

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all dry ingredients. Combine honey and oil and heat in a small pan or in the microwave until hot. Pour over dry ingredients and stir to combine. Spread onto three baking sheets. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely. Enjoy!

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Granola II
adapted from Mommy's Kitchen
Print Recipe

3 cups uncooked old fashioned oats
1 stick + 1 Tbsp real butter
2/3 cup honey
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tbsp cinnamon sugar
1/4 cup wheat bran
1/4 cup oat bran
2 Tbsp flax seed
1 Tbsp chia seeds
3/4 cup almond pieces (optional)
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
1 cup dried cranberries (optional)

First melt the butter in a 3 - quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the honey and salt and briefly heat with the butter. In a separate bowl mix together the oatmeal, wheat germ, nuts, brown sugar, cinnamon sugar, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, and nuts add them as well. Turn off the heat and add the oatmeal mixture. Stir until everything is coated. Pour the mixture onto a lightly greased baking sheet. Spread the mixture out evenly and bake it at 375 for 10 minutes (watch carefully) It will be a golden brown color. Remove from the oven and let cool. Break into pieces and store in an airtight container.

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Granola III
adapted from Tammy's Recipes
Print Recipe

6 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup oat bran
1/2 cup wheat bran
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1 cup any combination chopped walnuts, almonds, pecans, golden flax seeds, or raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
1 cup dried cranberries
2/3 cup honey
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 Tbsp water
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

In a large bowl combine oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, coconut, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, Craisins, and nonfat dry milk. Combine honey, oil, water, and vanilla. Add to oat mixture and mix thoroughly. Turn into two large shallow greased baking pans or cookie sheets. Heat in 300 oven for 30-40 minutes or until lightly toasted. Stir twice during heating. Let cool for 15 minutes after removing from the oven and then stir again. Store in tightly sealed container.

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