Tree-Hugging and Granola

I get lots of slack from Andrew about all of my "tree-huggin" qualities.  He laughs every time I buy some weird herbal mixture when I have a cold instead of going to a doctor.  I do have my reasons for not being too keen on modern medicine, and whether it works or not, I guess we'll never know... Have any of you ever tried putting avocado in your hair? Amazing!!

On to Granola.... one of my FAVORITE breakfast/lunch/dinner/snack/midnightsnack/fourthmeal foods. It's one of those wonderful little foods that you really really can't screw up. It's good on everything, and there are so many different varieties!

While we're on the subject of grains, they are not all created equal.  This is another time that I really emphasize getting good quality ingredients, not "Shurfine" brands.  I get my Steel Cut oats from the farmers market, but you can also find them at any grocery store, in the bulk section of "Whole Foods". You can also use the basic "Quaker" brand, which is fine.

Here's a basic, EASY (did I say easy?) granola recipe that you can alter to your taste to make your own:

 Ingredients for Granola:

4 cups            Oats (I use Steel Cut Oats)

3 handfuls      Unsweetened coconut shreds  (DO NOT get the sweetened one.. too much sugar!)

2 handfuls      Walnuts, Pumpkin Seeds, Pecans, Almonds (or a mixture of all!)

1/4 cup           Coconut Oil

2 tbsps            Raw Honey

1 tbsps           Course Sea Salt

1 handful       Dried fruit (bananas, raisins, cranberries, etc..)
                     

Directions: 

In a large bowl, mix oats, coconut, nuts, coconut oil, and honey until well combined.  (Hint: if honey and oil is solid or not easily combined, you can stick in in the microwave for about 20 seconds which will do the trick).
Pour mixture onto a greased baking sheet evenly spread out. Top with sea salt.  I use Coconut Oil Spray for this (and all other greasing needs in baking).  (Hint: I use a non-stick silpat on the baking sheet to avoid sticking).


Pre-bake photo


Cook in oven at 375 degrees for roughly 10 minutes... you will want to make sure to take it out a few times to stir so that the edges don't burn.
You'll know it's done when all the coconut pieces are browned (and your kitchen smells awesome).
Once finished, toss back in the bowl with the dried fruit, and store in an air tight container.

*Chocolate lovers: you can add extra dark chocolate chips to this too, just make sure that you add them in once granola is cooked and cooled!

Finished goods! 

(ok, this is a picture that I stole from the internet, but I forgot to take a picture of my finished product... it really does look like this, promise.)

Ways to Enjoy granola:

1. In a bowl (like cereal) with milk

2. Over yogurt (I really enjoy it over unsweetened goat yogurt, but you can also top it on plain old     greek)

3. Dessert**- over a little vanilla ice-cream

4. As a topping on a baked fruit (apple, pear, etc.)

5. Add it to the tops of muffins before you bake them

6. Toss it in your salad for a little "crunch"

7. PLAIN (as a snack!)

8. My favorite- mix it in peanut butter for a little crunch and extra goodness on your PB&J