Vacation Preparations - Part II

I love the hazelnut granola that I buy locally at Andy's and pay about $5.00 for a fist sized bag.  A few years ago I baked my own granola regularly using a recipe that uses applesauce rather than oil.  I got out of the habit of making it and bought Trader Joe's instead.  A few years a go Candace sent us home from a visit with a small bag of this homemade granola.  It was yummy, so I've adapted the recipe fo be similar to what I purchase at Andy's by adding toasted hazel nuts.  While traveling we often get up and want something easy to eat as we go, that portion of this batch has tiny chocolate chips added.  This with yogurt fills that need well.

World Famous Adair Maple Granola

7 cups rolled oats, uncooked
1 cup toasted coconut
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup almonds, sliced or broken
1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped or broken up
1 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup dry milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup maple syrup (or honey)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup dried raisins
Additional dried fruit/nuts as desired

In a large bowl combine first 7 ingredients, oats through dry milk.  Mix well.  In a separate bowl whisk the salt, oil, syrup and vanilla.  Pour over oat mixture stirring and tossing until everything is well combined.  

Spread in a couple of large lightly greased baking sheets, I used parchment.  Bake in a 250 oven for 2 hours tossing and stirring every 15 minutes or so.  Remove from oven and cool completely.

Transfer to a large bowl and mix in desired dried fruit. 

Click here for printable recipe

Fruit and Almond Granola

Something tells me this photo won't be here long before it's replaced by a better one.  This is my first post after Mark's long hospital stay and I don't want to bother him with setting up his camera for the shot, so here's my quickie with my phone.

I decided to make my own granola while trying to find healthy breakfast items that were low in salt and fat.  Now I realize how over priced store bought granola is.  I cleaned my cupboard of dried fruit to make this, but am listing the fruit the recipe suggested.  I used a total of 1 1/2 cups of apricots, golden raisins and cherries.  Can only imagine making it with pecans and dates.

Printable Recipe

Yield 8 servings
Prep Time:  15 minutes
Bake Time:  45 minutes

5½ cups traditional rolled oats (not quick oats)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
¾ teaspoon salt
¾ cup light brown sugar
¾ cup applesauce (I use natural/unsweetened)
¼ cup honey
1½ cups chopped or slivered almonds
¾ cup dried cranberries
¾ cup chopped dried apricots
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, cinnamon, ginger and salt.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, applesauce and honey until thoroughly combined.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix well, until all of the oats are moistened. Spread on the prepared pan in an even layer.
5. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the pan from the oven and turn the granola over very carefully using a wide spatula (you’ll probably need to do this in sections). Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until crisp and golden.
6. Cool completely on the baking sheet.
7. Break up the granola into chunks and stir in the almonds, dried cranberries and apricots. Store in an airtight container.

Adapted from The Brown Eyed Baker