Monday, July 27, 2009

Make your own Granola

Since I started trying to eat more healthy, I have been eating yogurt for a snack or for breakfast. I have not always liked yogurt. I kind of go through phases. At certain times I like it and then other times I buy a bunch with the best of intentions and then let it go past it's expiration date in the fridge.

I do know that when I add some granola to yogurt, it is always a nice treat.

Instead of paying too much money for a little box of granola, I decided to make my own. I used a recipe that I found online at USA Today. I love how you can change it up by using different add ins and flavorings. I made the classic granola and it was delicious. I will be making this again!

Master Granola Recipe

Adjust oven rack to middle position, and heat oven to 275 degrees. Coat a 9-by-13-inch metal pan with cooking spray, then set aside. Mix oats, wheat germ, brown sugar, salt and Extra Ingredients --except dried fruit -- in a bowl.

Bring syrup, oil, water and any Flavoring indicated below to a simmer in a saucepan over low heat. Drizzle over oat mixture, and stir to combine. Pour mixture onto prepared pan.

Working a handful at a time, squeeze cereal to form small clumps. Bake for 30 minutes. Stir in dried fruit. Continue to bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes longer. Let cool. (Granola can be stored in an airtight tin for up to two weeks.)

2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup wheat germ
2 Tbs. dark brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup Extra Ingredients (see complete list below)
1/4 cup maple syrup
3 Tbs. flavorless oil, such as vegetable or canola
1 Tb. water
Flavoring (see below)

1. Classic Granola
Extra Ingredients: 1/3 cup chopped walnuts, 1/3 cup sweetened flake coconut, 1/3 cup dark or golden raisins
Flavoring: 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
You can replace the 1/4 cup of maple syrup with 2 Tbs. each of maple syrup and molasses.

2. Crunchy Granola
Extra Ingredients: 1/4 cup slivered almonds, 1/4 cup sunflower seeds, 2 Tbs. sesame seeds, 6 Tbs. currants
Flavoring: none

3. Granola with Tropical Flavoring
Add the coconut along with the cashews and banana chips.
Extra Ingredients: 1/4 cup chopped roasted unsalted cashews, 1/4 cup chopped banana chips, 1/4 cup sweetened flake coconut, 1/4 cup chopped dried pineapple
Flavoring: 1/2 tsp. ground ginger

4. Granola with Cherries and Almonds
Extra Ingredients: 1/3 cup sliced almonds, 1/3 cup sweetened flake coconut, 1/3 cup dried cherries
Flavoring: 3/4 tsp. almond extract

5. Trail Mix Granola
Extra Ingredients: 1/4 cup chopped roasted unsalted peanuts, 1/4 cup sweetened flake coconut, 1/4 cup dark or golden raisins, 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips*
Flavoring: none
*Stir chips into the granola only after it has completely cooled.

6. Orange-Berry Granola with Pecans
Extra Ingredients: 1/2 cup chopped pecans,1/4 cup dried cranberries, 1/4 cup dried blueberries
Flavoring: 1/2 tsp. finely grated orange zest

7. Pear Granola with Hazelnuts and Vanilla
Extra Ingredients: 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts, 1/4 cup chopped dried cherries, 1/4 cup chopped dried pears
Flavoring: 1 tsp. vanilla extract

8. Orange-Flavored Granola with Pistachios, Mangos and Dates
Extra Ingredients: 1/2 cup chopped roasted pistachios, 1/4 cup chopped dates, 1/4 cup chopped dried mangos
Flavoring: 1/2 tsp. finely grated orange zest and 1/4 tsp. allspice

Nutritional information for granola and variations. Based on 1/2 cup servings.

Classic Granola: 256 calories, 6g protein, 34.9g carbohydrates, 11.4g fat, 0mg cholesterol, 3.9g fiber, 85mg sodium.

Crunchy Granola: 255 calories, 7.3g protein, 30.2g carbohydrates, 12.7g fat, 0mg cholesterol, 4.6g fiber, 77mg sodium.

Tropical Granola: 257 calories, 5.8g protein, 35.3g carbohydrates, 11.3g fat, 0mg cholesterol, 3.8g fiber, 84mg sodium.

Granola with Cherries & Almonds: 258 calories, 6.6g protein, 34.2g carbohydrates, 11.1g fat, 0mg cholesterol, 4.4g fiber, 85mg sodium.

Trail Mix Granola: 270 calories, 6.5g protein, 37.3g carbohydrates, 12g fat , 0mg cholesterol, 4.1g fiber, 229mg sodium.

Orange-Berry Granola with Pecans: 264 calories, 5.7g protein, 34.3g carbohydrates, 12.5g fat, 0mg cholesterol, 4.4g fiber, 78mg sodium.

Pear Granola with Hazelnuts & Vanilla: 272 calories, 6,5g protein, 35.9g carbohydrates, 12.3g fat, 0mg cholesterol, 4.7g fiber, 78mg sodium.

Orange-Flavored Granola with Pistachios, Mangoes & Dates: 259 calories, 6.7g protein, 36.1g carbohydrates, 10.9g fat, 0mg cholesterol, 4.4g fiber, 80mg sodium.

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15 comments:

  1. Why is granola expensive anyway? I usually buy it by the pound at the farmers market. This looks simple though, I'll have to give it a try.

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  2. Yummy. I love homemade granola!

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  3. fantastic - and all the varieties - wow - oh wow!

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  4. Oh yum this looks so delicious! I love granola on yogurt,ice cream and even in a small bowl with some milk. I love that you included all the extra mixes! thanks so much for that!

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  5. Looks fantastic! I will definitely have to make it soon.

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  6. this is actually something i've wanted to do for a long time! thanks for posting this!

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  7. looks yummy! i love customizing homemade granola :)

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  8. Great recipe! I've always wanted to try making my own homemade granola.

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  9. Great recipe(s)...I love granola mixed with 0% plain Greek yogurt...I buy Fage...it's delicious, like sour cream and you can't believe it is fat free!

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  10. o do make my own, but I've never tried all these variations1 thanks.

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  11. I bet this is better than anything you can buy. I love all the variations!

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  12. I have aslwya wanted to try making my own.Yours looks fantastic!

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  13. I love homemade granola! I'll have to try some of those variations, they sound so yummy!

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  14. Melody! I love it! sounds delish. Hey I would love to post your as my spotlight saturday on the 8th of august, would you mind writing up any tips for healthy eating/living you have? in your case a recipe might be great!
    email it to me at adailydoseofdieting@gmail.com
    I try to have the posts ready to go about 3 days before, so anytime this week would be fantastic. Thanks melody!

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  15. Thanks for all the granola ideas! I agree, much better than store bought!

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