This week I was inspired by my friend Marty's facebook status to try making my own granola. Part my reasoning is that cereal is expensive and I eat a ton of it. I'm sort of experimenting with an alternative.
I just realized that the depth in this picture is strange - that spatula looks huge!
Anyways, I searched around the internet for a homemade granola recipe I liked and eventually adapted one to suit me. It turned out pretty well, but I've started to realize that my oven is faster than I expect it to be. The recipe called for this to bake for 30-45 minutes, and I should have taken them out after 25 or 30 max. Instead I left them in for 35 or so and they were a little too done. Still, it was tasty and makes for a good snack. For lunch I used it in a parfait with plain yogurt and frozen strawberries.
I want to try adding other things, but in general, I think I'm a fan of homemade granola.
Granola with Almonds and Blueberries
adapted from Joy of Baking
3 cups of old fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup sliced or slivered almonds (I chopped them)
1/2 tbs ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbs canola oil
1/2 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup dried blueberries
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Combine the oats, almonds, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Separately, combine the oil and syrup. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Spread the mixture evenly on a greased or parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes (or more, depending on your oven). Use a spatula to slide the granola off the baking sheet and into a bowl. Add dried blueberries and stir to combine.
Serve with milk, as a cereal, or with yogurt and other fruit, or simply munch on it.
That looks so good. You should toss some flax in next time. You know, cause who doesn't need more flax?
ReplyDeleteI actually have a small amount of left over flax seed in my pantry at the moment! I may give it a try.
ReplyDelete