April 14, 2010

Granola - Pure and Simple

Ever in search for the perfect granola recipe, I might have found a winner.
A slightly modified version of the recipe found in the Good Food, Great Medicine cookbook by Mea ad Miles Hassell, this granola recipe is striped down to the basics, full of whole grains and good fat and missing all the “extra” stuff found in store-bought cereals.

5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup raw sunflower or pumpkin seeds
1 cup almonds (cut, chopped or flaked)
½ cup maple syrup (the real stuff, except no substitutes)
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon salt

½ cup golden raisins
½ cup dried cranberries
1 cup dried blueberries

Preheat oven to 225 degrees.

  1. In a large bowl, mix together all dry ingredients.
  2. In a smaller bowl, whisk together syrup, oil and salt.
  3. Pour liquid mixture over dry mixture and stir well.
  4. Spread over large baking pan (I use two cookie sheets) and bake @ 225 degrees for 4 hours.  Turn oven off and let sit for another 4 hours.  I make this at night, set the oven timer, and go to bed.  In the morning, it is ready to go.
  5. Once cooked and cooled, mix dried fruit into granola
  6. Store in airtight container and enjoy.