Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Kitchen Sink Granola

Granola has become a kitchen staple for in our house.  I have been working on the recipe for some time, increasing the nutritional value and flavor while trying to keep  calories within reason.  I  now include "everything but the kitchen sink" in each batch. 
This recipe should be used as a guideline rather than a strict recipe.  Keep notes on what you put each batch and adjust  the recipe until you are happy with your own custom batch.  

I have cut the oil back from most other recipes that I have found.  I have cut out all sugar and replaced with honey and/or Maple syrup.  The recipe below creates a nice crumbly granola.  If you are looking for more lumps and chunks , increase the  oil and honey content. 
I do not include dry fruit in the recipe.  I add fruit as desired on serving.  I have found that the dry fruit causes granola to get soggy if not stored in freezer.  I prefer to store granola on my counter and keep dried cranberries, cherries, and apricots in separate jars. 

Kitchen Sink Granola
Serves :    32                                              Prep Time:    10 min                               Cook Time: 20 min
INGREDIENTS
¼ cup wheat germ
¼ cup ground flax seed
¼ sesame seeds
1/3 heaping cup (unsalted, no shells) pumpkin seeds
¼ cup unsalted, no shells sunflower seeds
¼ cup oat bran
1 cup sliced almonds
½ cup cashews
¾ cup walnuts
½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
½ cup sweetened coconut flakes
1 heaping tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 + cup of honey (or REAL maple syrup or combo of both)
4 cups of old fashioned oat meal ( NOT instant or quick oats)
Splash of vanilla extract
Good dash of fresh ground nutmeg
Big pinch of kosher salt

DIRECTIONS
Pre heat oven to 350 °F
Using your largest mixing bowl, combine all ingreints and stir with silicone spatula.
Spread even layer on  ½ sheet pan with parchment or silicone mat.
Place in oven for 15 minutes.  Remove from oven.  Stir well with silicone spatula.  Place back in oven and check every 5 minutes until toasted you your liking.  BE CAREFUL.  Granola is known to burn easily
Store in airtight container.
Serve with yogurt or ice cream.  Mix with dried fruit and chocolate for trail mix. 
Go Crazy. 


You might also enjoy:
David's Granola

Black and White Granola

Mark Bitten's Granola

Martha Stewart's Granola

No comments:

Post a Comment