I hesitate to admit this to all of you folks who are seated in your fancy kitchens surrounded by exotic spices and fresh duck eggs from your local organic farm, but I have a love affair with cereal. Gasp. You likely do not share this affinity, but my affair is a long-standing one. Perhaps it is because I like rituals and knowing what I am going to eat each morning provides a sort of comfort. This may be part of the reason, I am sure. On the other hand, I just like the stuff. A lot.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I do not indulge in the weirdly colored sugar cereals and only briefly chose the Captain Crunch over the Grape Nuts during a weak period in college. The period was brief due to the injury I suffered to the roof of my mouth. That stuff is scratchy!
Today, it is not uncommon for me to take cereal over what seems like another tasty breakfast option. My mother in law always wants to feed me bacon and eggs. The conversation always ends in the same manner. I politely decline choosing, instead, to root through her pantry for an acceptable cereal selection. She never disappoints.
Now, with summer here, I inevitably turn to granola in the morning. (Honestly, you can add afternoon to that selection too. This baby makes me hungry!) Granola is the perfect accompaniment to a rich yogurt and a handful of summer berries. It adds the perfect crunch to just about anything, in fact. I love it so.
The problem is that granola and cereal, in general, are ridiculously expensive. I find my blood positively boils when I walk down the cereal aisle at the market. The average cost of a small box seems to be about $5.00. Why so expensive? Isn’t this just a bunch of flour, oats, and sugar? Frankly, it seems like an easy supermarkt swindle.
I’m not buying it. I mean that. I’m actually
not buying it. Put granola down on the list along with
crusty artisan bread of the items I refuse to purchase at the grocery store. It’s not worth the cost when you can make a granola at home that will blow your mind. You can make a granola that is so much better than those offered at the store, you will feel robbed of all the cash you previously spent on this item. Moreover, you will know precisely what goes into your cereal. If that’s not an incentive, I don’t know what is.
If you read this blog with some regularity, you know I previously shared a recipe for granola. It was quite good. Since that time, however, I’ve taken to exploring all sorts of recipes and flavor combinations. This one, in my humble opinion, takes the cake. I hope you’ll agree. But, remember, when you make granola, it’s a great time to experiment. Try out prunes instead of dates. What about flame raisins instead of their darker counterparts? Don’t be shy. Be creative! And, by all means, let me know what you discover.
Oh, and have you considered this as a host gift instead of the boring bottle of red wine? It is the perfect gift. This recipe yields 18 cups so you will have plenty leftover for yourself!
Crunchy Granola
7 cups (1 1/2 pounds) rolled oats, uncooked
1 cup (4 ounces) flaked unsweetened coconut
1 cup (4 ounces) stabilized wheat germ
1 cup (3 1/2 ounces) sliced almonds
1 cup (4 ounces) diced pecans or walnuts
1 cup sunflower seeds, raw or toasted
1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (11 ounces) pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) vanilla extract
3 cups mixed dried fruit (raisins, dried cranberries, diced apricots, and chopped dates, or the mixture of your choice)
In a very large bowl, combine the oats, coconut, wheat germ, nuts, and seeds. Mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, salt, maple syrup, and vanilla. Pour over the dry mixture in the bowl, stirring and tossing till everything is very well combined; a large stirring spoon work well here.
Spread granola on a couple of large lightly greased baking sheets. Bake in a preheated 250°F oven for about 90 minutes, stirring the mixture with a heatproof spatula, or turner every 15 minutes or so. You want to bring the granola at the edge in towards the middle, so it all browns evenly. And reverse the baking sheets in the oven (top to bottom, bottom to top) each time you stir.
When the granola is a light–to–medium golden brown, remove it from the oven and cool completely on the pans.
Transfer the granola to a large bowl, and mix in the dried fruit. Store in a tightly closed container at room temperature for several weeks; freeze for extended storage.
Source: Adapted from King Arthur’s Flour
26 Comments
I pretty much have stopped buying granola. I make different varieties at home (depending on what's in the pantry) and I am shocked to see the prices on granola sold at stores.Not only is homemade healthier, it's always tastier! Adding this one to my list!
Homemade granola is much cheaper, delicious and healthier than bought granola. Yours looks wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
I love the new look of your blog! Did you do it yourself? I am still patiently WAITING (been 6 months!) on my blog creator to finish mine.
This looks so awesome! I love homemade granola! I'm going to give it a go this weekend & try it with dried blueberries and cherries
Do you think it would taste as goo without so much oil? I'm looking for a low fat granola for my diet. What do you think?
Ann, I think you could cut a little bit of the oil and syrup. However, the cereal might be a tad less sweet and not bound as well. If you like a super crunchy granola, it might not work. Otherwise, I think it will. Try it and let me know bow it turns out!
I agree completely. I make it once a week and fill up a big container for daily breakfast. It's great.
This looks like a great recipe. I make a batch once a week to have for breakfast over the next several days. It's a great nutritious snack. By the way, I'm hosting a giveaway on my blog for an All-Clad pan, come enter!
You know what, I am just about to make some more granola (we call it toasted muesli in Australia) this weekend! This recipe comes handy!
i totally and completely share your love of cereal. i could eat it every day (and usually do). I make my own too – a recipe very similar to this one! I'll have to give this one a go and see if it's better than my current.
That's pretty tasty looking granola!
I usually have hot oatmeal or fried rice for breakfast. It may – may -be time for me to branch out. I hope you are having wonderful day.
Loving the new blog layout!
And I so agree, homemade granola is ridiculously easy and tasty. There is no need to buy it.
Great recipe, and sharp new look to the blog!
Hey Robin, I love cereal too, and I love homemade granola even more. I can't buy store granola anymore, since I made it at home.
This looks wonderful. I'm going to scan your recipe more closely to see if it's different from mine. Something new would be nice…
p.s.your new header is so earthy and cute-like you!
I am a cereal girl myself. Sayer & I have granola & vanilla yogurt every morning. You heard my call on this recipe! Looks yummy.
Totally with you on this one! If I can make it at home, I will. If I don't have to spend $5, I won't.
And if I know what's in it, even better.
Thanks for being a champion of homemade goods!!!!
[K]
I can't think of a better way to start your day! I made granola bars for friends last week and they loved them. Now it's time to make the cereal. Looks delicious!
oh this granola recipe does look amazing!
Thanks Red! I'll be making a batch this weekend.
Indeed!! On every front. This (really, almost exactly this) is what we've been eating for weeks, exactly as you: whole milk yogurt (or greek, um!) + plus berries plus granola = breakfast heaven. And don't you know I was just thinking about making a batch for a housewarming gift? Great minds…
I loooove love loooooove granola (did I convey my love well enough?!) Mornings are far more tolerable with a delicious breakfast under my belt!
For some reason, I have not made granola in forever. You've inspired me to change that… yours looks so great!
WOW, great looking granola! I love that it uses Maple Syrup and not sugar too.
Have you tried the Grace Harbor farms yogurt? That stuff is pretty much crack in white liquid form, I am convinced so.
I hear ya about grapenuts….those things should come with a warning label! Homemade granola is a favorite of mine. I especially love a coconut, date, cashew combo…yummy!
It's funny about the kids cereals that rip up the roof of your mouth… I didn't get these types of cereal very often growing up, but you reminded me of a time my Mom got a cereal with a king on the box – I think it was called King Vitamin? Anyway, the little shapes were like jagged, spurred wheels (presumably a crown?). My mouth hurt so much after a bowl of this stuff, but it didn't stop my brother and I from finishing off the box. We had to get our sugar in when we could!
I haven't bought granola in years either. I love that it is endlessly adaptable and so much healthier… not to mention, it's fun to make and it makes the house smell good! (Also, if you like super crunchy granola, try using part steel cut oats sometime! I didn't think it would work, but I loved the results. They soften a little, but are still toothsome.)
Arghhhhh! Adrienne needs an iPad so she can refer to your recipes without interrupting my oh-so-important internet surfing! Damn, you aChowLife! Actually, I really do enjoy the fruits of your labor along with Adrienne making your recipes.