Monday, February 26, 2007

My Sister's Granola

My sister makes the best granola that I have tasted. She's no granola, far from it, but she knows good granola. The recipe makes a HUGE amount, so I've reduced it by half here.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

4 cups old fashioned oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup coconut
1 cup nuts i.e. sunflower seeds, walnuts( I like almonds)
1 cup dried fruit, any kind(I like unsweetend pineapple, apricots...)

Mix all of the above in a large bowl.

1/2 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup honey
2 t. vanilla

Heat oil and honey to a rolling boil. Turn off heat and add vanilla. Pour over granola mixture and blend well. Spread on a baking sheet.
Bake for about 15-20 minutes, stirring the granola every 5 minutes while baking to ensure even browning. Watch it closely as it can burn fast. For softer granola do not bake as long. This is a great basic recipe add or subtract ingredients according to your taste. You can use less sugar if you like, increase the amount of wheat germ, add flax seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, cranberries, raisins, it's perfect for experimenting. I'm going to go make some right now.

photo: Williams-Sonoma.com

12 comments:

love.boxes said...

Yum. That recipe makes my mouth water. Unlike Mo, I love coconut!

Shauna said...

Lately, I have added almonds, sunflower seeds, craisins, and of course, heart healthy- flax seed.

Mumsy said...

I was going to call you this week and get this recipe from you! Every time I pass the dried pineapple at Trader Joe's I think of this granola. So good!

Denise said...

Where's a good place to buy flax seed? TJ's?

Lisa said...

Yes where do you get Flax seed? Looks so good!

Mo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mo said...

Jenni gathers the flaxseed that has fallen from the lovely flaxseed bush in the back yard, every morning.

Shauna said...

I posted my "Close to Costco" version of this Granola today. Also- I forgot to tell you- haven't used coconut in mine for years- picky tastes surround me.

If Jenni's Flax Seed bush is bare- look in the organic or health food section of your stores. Use the Golden Flax Seed vs the Dark.

Jenni said...

I've seen flax seed at most grocery stores, I have heard it has to be crushed to do any good. Can anyone verify? I don't know if crushing it in your teeth counts? Flax seed oil could also be added.

Naner, what is the diff b/t golden and dark?

Yes, and then I use the flax and spin it to make all of our clothes.

Denise said...

See Jenni, further evidence that you are a goddess...

Shauna said...

Yes, Flax needs to be ground or cooked to do it's magic. The difference in my limited scope is--the color!!! My kids wont touch the dark-looks like bugs. They dont know the golden is there. I buy ground Flax Seed Mill and add it to bread, pancakes, etc. It is in the organic section at my grocery store.

Jenni- looking forward to the matching Woven flax outfits for my girls to match cousin Soph!There's just nothing you can't do well, is there?

myscoutster said...

I just made this recipe. Very tastey