Granola packs a nutritional punch - healthy oats, nuts, and dried fruit. But you have to be careful, sometimes the store bought granola contains a lot of calories and fat. Making it at home is something I have been meaning to try for a while. I wanted a healthy and tasty recipe. There are a lot of great resources at BU for healthy eating, so I started my recipe search on the Sargent Choice website. I wish that Sargent Choice was around when I was an undergrad at BU! They offer healthy dining options on campus - both in the dining halls and in the student union. They also offer healthy eating resources for students, faculty, and staff.
On the 'What's Cooking' page, I found a recipe for a granola and yogurt parfait and decided to put my spin on the granola. My granola included oats, roasted unsalted pepitas, sliced almonds, and dried cherries. I also added a dash of salt (I like the contrast of a little salty granola with sweet yogurt). The preparation was easy, but you will need a scale to measure the ingredients. Also, I found that mine cooked in much less time than the recipe called for. You'll have to watch the oven to make sure your granola doesn't burn - it can get overcooked in an instant. I'll be mixing this into my favorite yogurts for healthy snacking the rest of the week.
Sargent Choice Granola (minus the parfait)
Adapted from Sargent Choice
5 ounces rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon whole wheat flour
1/4 cup roasted, unsalted pepitas
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I think I added a full teaspoon)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 ounces maple syrup (Grade B)
1/2 ounce honey
1 1/2 teaspoon orange infused olive oil
1/4 teaspoon vanilla (as I typed this, I realized I forgot to include it)
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup dried cherries
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
In a large bowl mix oats, pepitas, almonds, cinnamon and salt
In a separate bowl, whisk together syrup, honey, olive oil, vanilla, and water
Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix together with a rubber spatula
Pour the granola mixture onto the baking sheet and spread evenly
Bake, checking every 20 minutes and stirring to ensure even cooking
Mine was done after 40 minutes
Cool completely
Mix with dried fruit
Store in an airtight containers
Summary:
Prep time: 5 minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes - 2 hours
Mixing bowls, whisk, spatula, baking sheet, parchment paper
Homemade granola is the best. Almonds and dried cherries would definitely be a great combo for me.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth - thank you for your comment! It was great to see you at the market last weekend!
ReplyDeleteI just made homemade granola bars for the first time last week and I can't believe how easy it was!
ReplyDeleteI am long over-due for some homemade granola. Yours looks delish, thx for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE making my own granola, so much better than store bought. And good for you for sticking to your challenge!
ReplyDeleteI love putting dried cherries in homemade granola.. I'm a little less healthy though and always add chocolate chips too!
ReplyDeleteYum! I adore granola, and don't find a lot of the store-bought varieties that great. I should totally start making my own! Thanks for the recipe.
ReplyDeleteYum...looks good. I love it mixed in yogurt, too.
ReplyDeleteI love homemade granola! We haven't bought granola in ages!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the weight loss! I've never made my own granola, and yours is another one of those easy and healthy recipes I'd love to try soon! Orange infused olive oil sounds awesome, too.
ReplyDeleteYum-that looks delicious! The sargent choice granola is my favorite!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the weight loss and healthy choices. It must be fun to have office support!
ReplyDeleteI love making my own granola. I usually make it with pecans, but love the almond and cherry combo!
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