Granola is a tasty, nutritious, filling breakfast that I like to keep on hand for when I don't make a hot breakfast. It's also portable and good for busy people to grab on the go when they have to nab breakfast on the run. A bowl of granola paired with vanilla yogurt makes a delicious, substantial breakfast or snack that keeps me from getting hungry for a loooong time. This recipe makes a large batch as you can see.
Part of my method of feeding my large family with homemade, wholesome foods is to use recipes that are simple to follow and easy to remember. If I have to start out by finding a recipe and getting out a dozen ingredients that all have to then be measured, it's going to take a lot longer and be a much more daunting task than if I can mix up something without any written directions. I like to use simple, even quantities of things to make it easy to remember without needing to consult a recipe or spend needless time measuring.
So I've learned how to make my granola without needing a recipe, and here is how I do it:
I start with one large carton of old fashioned rolled oats - the big 42 ounce size - and dump the whole thing into a giant mixing bowl. See how easy? Not having to measure out all those oats saves time.
Next I toss in about four cups of nuts. I most often use sliced almonds as we get them in big bags at the warehouse club, but pecans are a delicious (albeit more expensive) treat.
Then I add in my various seeds- usually about a cup or two of each. A few cups of coconut is good too - we like the large flake kind from Bob's Red Mill. Sometimes I use a cup scooper to dish out the seeds and sometimes I just eyeball it. Today I added flax, sunflower, and sesame. You can also stir in a cup or so of whole wheat flour or bran or germ if you are so inclined. Stir everything together.
Then I mix up my wet ingredients in a glass mixing bowl. I microwave a stick of butter until it's nearly melted. Then I add a cup of oil and a cup of honey. Hint: measure the oil first, then use the same cup for the honey and it will glide right out. I usually use light olive oil, but some coconut is a nice treat. Stir them together and microwave it a bit more (I do thirty seconds) just to warm things up so they blend together better. Stir well, adding some vanilla - I just squirt a goodly amount out of the bottle.
The main things to remember are simply a carton of oats with whatever nut and seed goodies you'd like to add, and then 1 cup oil, 1 cup honey, 1 stick butter. Very easy!
Then I pour the wet mixture over my dry goods in the bowl, stirring well so everything is coated evenly - a big wooden spoon works well for this.
Then I turn out the mixture onto two cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.
Bake in oven until granola is evenly golden brown. I usually bake mine at 350 which is a little hotter than most recipes, but I like to have it done faster - it's that quick and easy thing. You need to stir the granola frequently so that it toasts evenly, and you need to be attentive to it so it doesn't burn. I start out by setting the timer for ten minute intervals, but stir more frequently! as the granola gets nearly done. It will brown quickly! once the mixture gets all heated through, so keep an eye on it. I also switch the two trays around every time I open the oven to stir so I am alternating which tray is on top.
When the granola is evenly toasted and all a lovely golden brown, remove from oven. Then stir in whatever kind and however much dried fruits you like in your granola. Some possibilities are raisins, dates, craisins, apricots or even banana chips. Today I used all dates; sometimes I do one tray of raisins and one of something else for variety.
And there you have it - a Great Quantity of yummy granola, quickly and easily made!
Busy Mothers' Granola
1 large carton old fashioned oats (42 oz)
3 or 4 cups nuts
1 cup each of a few kinds of seeds / coconut
1 cup whole wheat flour or wheat germ or bran (optional)
1 cup oil
1 cup honey
1 stick butter, melted (optional, or more oil)
vanilla, maybe a tablespoon or two
dried fruits - add after baking
Mix dry ingredients together. Warm butter and oil and honey together, stir in vanilla. Pour over dry goods and stir to mix well. Turn out onto baking sheets and toast in a 300-350 oven, stirring frequently (about every ten minutes) until evenly golden brown and crunchy. Remove from oven and stir in raisins or other dried fruits to your liking. Store in airtight container.
I am looking forward to trying this. We have been enjooying your Lentil soups and lasagna. Thank you for sharing. I hope that you are having a blessed Holy Week.
Posted by: Christine | March 27, 2013 at 05:42 PM