Tasty Granola

Photo Credit Nadia Schiesser, Nelson, BC

It took me awhile to perfect my granola recipe, lots of experimenting. I wanted it to be easy to make, healthy and of course tasty. My goal was to mimic those super sweet, sugar filled boxed cereals with the crunchy oats and puffs. Without all the sugar and the soy protein. Those cereals are organic but I feel they are too full of sugar and the soy is hard to digest and therefore your body is not utilizing the soy protein very well. More on the topic of soy soon.

I did sell my granola last year at fairs and a local cafe. Then I realized that to keep doing that I needed to make it on a big scale. That was not what I wanted to do. Instead I am sharing the recipe with everyone so you can make your own.

When you make your own you can control the sweetness and use a healthier sweetener like honey. You can also be ensured that it is fresh and you can add whatever favourite extras you like. Plus you can impress your family and friends when you invite them to brunch or make bags as holiday or any day gifts.

Buy your ingredients in bulk to save money and packaging. Ask your local health food or grocery store if you can special order larger bags of organic rolled oats. That way you know it is fresh and you save money. Order bulk nuts too. A great place to get fresh and bulk ingredients is from Real Raw Food. When you have ingredients on hand you will tend to use them and make your own granola instead of opting for store bought.

Here is my recipe for you and to share.

Tasty Granola 4 cups whole oats 2 cups kamut puffs 1 cup millet puffs ¼ cup hemp seeds ¼ cup pumpkin seeds ½ tsp cinnamon 1/3 cup extra virgin organic coconut oil 1/4 cup honey pinch of Himalayan salt 1 cup dried cranberries (apple juice sweetened) · Turn oven on to 300° · Melt the coconut oil, and then add honey and salt. Stir well. · Mix all remaining ingredients together in a large bowl. · Drizzle in oil and agave slowly while stirring. · Put mixture into 2 large glass baking dishes and spread out evenly. · Bake for 50 minutes stirring every 15 minutes. · Remove granola from oven and stir in dried cranberries. · Allow granola to cool completely before storing in jars. · Serve with rice/nut milk or yogurt, chia seeds and berries. Yummy!

Make small batches so the granola stays fresh. You can double or triple this recipe if you are feeding a family.

Add extras such as:

• sunflower seeds
• sesame seeds
• flax seeds
• almonds
• any nut or seed
• raisins
• dried apricots
• dried blueberries
• dried cherries
• other dried berries or fruit

ENJOY!