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.  

 

Cranberry-Almond-Chocolate Quinoa Cookies

You can justify making these (and eating them!) because they are made with quinoa, a super healthy ingredient.  It adds a little texture to the cookie but you don't really taste it in there with all of the other goodies.  We used all purpose white flour, but you could make them even healthier by using some wheat flour instead.  These are great for desert, or even for a quick breakfast- considering they have all of the ingredients you might eat in a bowl of granola.

Ingredients:  

1 1/2 cups all purpose unbleached flour 

1 t kosher salt 

1/2 t baking powder 

1/2 t baking soda 

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature 

1/4 cup sugar 

1/4 cup (packed) light brown sugar 

1/4 cup agave nectar or honey 

2 large eggs 

1 t vanilla extract 

1/2 t almond extract 

1 cup cooked quinoa, cooled 

1 cup old-fashioned oats 

1/2 cup dried cranberries 

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup slivered unslated almonds 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and line your baking sheet(s) with parchment paper.   In a mixing bowl, combine butter, both sugars, and agave nectar or honey.  Beat with an electric mixer or by and until smooth and well combined.  Add the two eggs and both extracts and mix thoroughly.

Next, add the salt, baking powder and baking soda, and flour to the bowl and mix until it is all incorporated into the batter.  Finally, add the quinoa, oats, cranberries, chocolate chips, and almonds to the bowl and stir until just combined.

On your baking sheets lined with parchment paper, place balls of dough (1-2 T each depending on how large you want your cookies) about one inch apart.  Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden.  Place on cooling racks after you remove them from the oven.  Store in a zip-lock bag or air-tight container.

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.