Spiced Ginger Granola

In this batch of granola I switched it up by adding some chopped crystallized ginger along with some other wintery spices to give it a seasonal flavor.  I have to say... it came out pretty delicious.  It's great as a breakfast or healthy dessert.

Ingredients: 
5 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup chopped almonds
1 cup bran
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon all spice
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped crystallized ginger
1 cup dried cranberries

Directions:
Preheat an oven to 300 degrees F. Mix the oats, nuts and wheat germ in a large bowl.  

In a smaller bowl, combine the butter, oil, honey, sugar, vanilla, and spices.  

Microwave for 20 seconds (so that butter is melted) and stir the mixture well.  Pour it over the dry ingredients and mix with your hands or a large spoon until the oats and nuts are evenly coated.   Spread the mixture onto a large sheet pan (or two).  You could also use a casserole dish but it will take longer to bake since it won't be as spread out. 
Bake for about 45 minutes to an hour, stirring every 10-15 minutes to ensure even cooking.  When the granola is a golden-brown color, remove it from the oven and let it cool to room temperature.  

Add the dried ginger and cranberries and store in a sealed container.  

 

Maple Almond Granola

I usually never buy real maple syrup... it's just SO expensive and there's no way around it.  Even when we go to the Highland County Maple Festival I've refrained from buying the freshly made syrup because I'm just too cheap.  But, with "free money" left to spend at Arganica from the Groupon I purchased, I decided to go for the splurge and ordered a pint of local maple syrup.  It's been amazing on pancakes, but I wanted to find some more uses for it, now that I actually have it available for once in my life.  First up: maple almond granola!

Ingredients:

4 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup wheat germ

1/2 cup ground flax seed

1 1/2 cups chopped or sliced almonds

1/3-1/2 cup real maple syrup (depending on how sweet you want the granola to be)

1/3 cup natural unsweetened peanut butter (or almond butter!)

1 T vegetable or canola oil

pinch of salt

1/2 t almond extract

1 cup dried fruit

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.  Combine the oats, wheat germ, flax, and almonds in a large bowl.  

In a small bowl, combine the peanut butter, maple syrup, and vegetable oil.  Microwave for 20 seconds and stir well.  The microwaving softens the peanut butter making it easier to mix together.  Add the pinch of salt and almond extract and stir to combine.  

Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients and mix with your hands until it is all evenly coated.  Spread the granola out over a large rimmed baking sheet, or two smaller ones.  You could alternatively use a casserole dish.

Place in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes.  Stir.  Continue baking for 10 minute increments, stirring in between until it is all evenly golden and toasted. It should take about 40 minutes total, more or less.  Remove and cool.  See the color difference?

When it is cooled, mix in the dry fruit, and store in a sealed container or zip lock bag.  Enjoy for breakfast, for a snack, or even for dessert!

Oat-Nut Granola

Granola is one of those over-priced items at stores that you can easily make in your own kitchen.  And it makes for a healthy, filling breakfast or snack.  I can still remember the smell of it baking in the oven when my mom would make it growing up.  The best thing about the recipe is that you can change it easily depending on what items you have on hand.  Here's what I did last night:

Ingredients:
5 cups old-fashioned oats
1/3 cup each: sliced almonds, roasted sunflower seeds, peanuts, chopped walnuts, and wheat germ or ground flax seed  (totaling about 2 cups... feel free to use whatever nuts you have available)
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
2 T butter
1 T vegetable oil
1/3 cup sweetener (I use agave nectar, but you could substitute honey, maple syrup, or corn syrup if it's your only option)
1/2 t cinnamon (other spices are fine too- cloves, nutmeg etc.)
1 cup dried fruit (cranberries or raisins are my usual)

Directions:
Turn oven to 300 degrees F
Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl (excluding fruit)

 
Melt the butter and peanut butter together in a small bowl in the microwave. 
Once butter is melted, stir until combined and add the oil, sweetener & spices.
Pour this mixture over your dry ingredients and thoroughly mix with your hands.  Try to coat it all evenly.

Taste the mixture to see if it needs more sweetener or spices, to your taste. You can add more if necessary, or add more oats if it seems too sweet.
Spread the mixture in a 9x15 casserole dish and place in oven

Bake for 10-15 minutes, stir, and bake again for 10 more minutes.
Repeat this step, baking for 10 additional minutes each time until the granola has acquired a golden brown color.

Let it cool, and then add your dried fruit.
Store in an air-tight container at room temperature.
Makes about 8 cups.