January 14, 2009

Breakfast Granola

First off, I want to thank everyone so much for all of their well wishes. I am feeling much better and am excited to be rejoining the world outside our apartment! All of your cheers really helped and I appreciate everyone taking the time to leave a comment. Now on to my latest and greatest...

I have yogurt, fruit and granola for breakfast almost every morning after my run. It's a hearty enough breakfast that I'm left feeling full until lunch, and also gets in lots of healthy fruit, protein and fiber. I also can't stomach a huge breakfast right after a run, so something light but filling, like this granola, is the perfect start to my day. If you are looking for a healthy breakfast that doesn't feel healthy, please try this combo. No, it's not a stack of pancakes. But when mixed with yogurt, it is sweet, crunchy, creamy and really delicious.

This is my favorite morning granola recipe because it is sweet without any additional sugar and is crunchy without being break-your-teeth hard. The addition of the dried fruit also makes it colorful and adds an extra flavor punch. It's also quick and painless to put together and you won't be left washing dishes for hours afterwards, which means you might actually be inclined to make this every few weeks. It will keep nicely if stored in an air-tight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks. You could freeze it as well.

I just saw that Grace, over at A Southern Grace, has posted a little contest for recipes containing cinnamon in them, so I'm sending this her way. The cinnamon in the granola adds a really nice bit of spice and flavor without any additional calories. Be sure to check out her awesome blog and enter a recipe yourself!


Breakfast Granola

3 cups Rolled Oats
1/2 cup Unsalted Hulled Sunflower Seeds
1/2 cup Flaked Coconut
1/4 Wheat Germ
1 1/2 cups chopped Unsalted Mixed Nuts (I used pecans, walnuts and almonds)
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
1/3 cup Pure Maple Syrup
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
2 tablespoons Water
1 cup chopped Mixed Dried Fruit (I used raisins, prunes, strawberries and apricots)
  • Preheat oven to 350℉.
  • Combine first 7 ingredients in a large bowl.
  • In a small sauce pan, over low heat, melt the butter into the maple syrup.
  • Stir vanilla into syrup, and pour over the oat mixture.
  • Add water and stir until well combined.
  • Spread granola out on a large baking sheet, making sure the edges are not thinner than the middle (the edges will tend to burn if they are too thin).
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring the granola at 8 minute intervals, or until golden brown.
  • Allow granola to cool completely in the pan, then stir in the chopped fruit.

13 comments:

Sara said...

Oooh, this looks great. I love granola, but I never think to make it, or even buy it for that matter!

Dewi said...

The ultimate breakfast, even more delicious if its home made. Plus (I think) it's way cheaper then those gourmet one that you find in the super market, right?

Abbie said...

Perfect! I'm going to have to try this. Great for after a run.

Maria said...

I love homemade granola. I will have to try yours! It is perfect for breakfast or a healthy snack!!

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

Believe it or not, I have never made my own granola so I will have to try it. Hope you're feeling better.

Emily said...

This looks awesome. I love granola. Hope you win!

Glad you are feeling better.

grace said...

what a wonderful entry! homemade granola is superior to store-bought in every way. :)

Aimée said...

Looks like a killer recipe. I love the maple syrup. My hubby's been bugging me for months to make some granola,so I guess I have no excuse now!

Sandy said...

i love grace's site - and this granola looks very yummy!

Chef Fresco said...

yum! we'll have to try that, as expensive as the good granola is in the store!

Culinary Wannabe said...

Hi Sara - It's such a great breakfast staple.

Hi Elra - I would think it's cheaper because it is so expensive in the store. But I also added dried strawberries to the mix which are pretty expensive on their own.

Hi Abbie - Totally perfect for after a run!

Hi Maria - Hope you like it!

Hi Lisa - Feeling much better, thanks so much!

Hi Emily - Thanks!

Hi Navita - Thank you so much for the award!

Hi Grace - Totally agree. And the store bought one always has tons of unnecessary sugar.

Hi Aimée - I hope he likes it!

Hi Sandy - Thanks!

Hi Chef Fresco - It is so expensive, especially when you buy the "specialty" organic types.

Nazarina A said...

This is definitely a granola that I should make when I go skiing! Fuel food!

Dani Spies said...

This sounds really good. I'm always on the look out for granola recipes that are not loaded with sugar and this is right up my alley. Thanks for a great idea:)