When the days get shorter, I find myself settling in for a relaxing evening sooner than I do in the summer. We’re either watching football, the Voice, or reading while something mindless plays in the background. And, I don’t know about you, but those activities just scream, “Feed me!”
Thought I’d share one of my favorite fall snacks with you–homemade granola. I just can’t get enough of it. Crunchy, yummy, nutty, and healthy (although the calories can add up, I can’t deny it). Once you’ve had homemade granola it’s hard to eat the packaged kind. And, why would you when this recipe is so easy?
The Best Homemade Granola Ever!
Ingredients:
4 C uncooked old-fashioned oats
1 C shredded coconut
1 C wheat germ
1 C pecan halves
1 C walnuts, roughly chopped
1 C cranraisins
1 C hulled sunflower seeds
3/4 C honey
1/2 C vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. In large bowl, combine first 6 ingredients; mix well.
2. In small bowl, combine honey, oil, vanilla, and salt; mix well. Drizzle over cereal mixture. Toss to coat.
3. Spread mixture in thin layers on baking sheets or jelly-roll pans.
4. Bake 15-20 minutes until crisp and browned, stirring occasionally. Cool completely; store in airtight containers. Yield 10 cups.
Variations:
* Instead of honey, you can use 1/2 C + 2T maple syrup plus 2T brown sugar.
* Use cashews instead of one of the other nuts or in addition to (just adjust the amount so there’s two cups of whatever combo of nuts you use.)
* Omit the wheat germ to make it gluten-free. Be sure to use gluten-free oats, too.
* Add mini chocolate chips (or, just go wild and add the regular size) or M&Ms.
* Substitute raisins or dates (chopped coarsely) for the cranraisins.
Interesting Granola Trivia You’ll No Doubt be Happy to Know…
Granula (sic) was invented in Dansville, New York, by Dr. James Caleb Jackson at the Jackson Sanitarium in 1863. The Jackson Sanitarium was a prominent health spa that operated into the early 20th century. Since granula was made using graham flour, the mixture was named after the “granules” of the flour. Imagine Grape Nuts on steroids.
J.H. Kellogg came out with a similar cereal, which he at first named granula too. But to avoid legal problems with Jackson, Kellogg changed the name of his ready-to-eat cereal to granola. He developed it at his Seventh-Day Adventist health sanitorium in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (I know, I know…right now I’m wondering if it’s sanitarium or sanitorium. And who went to sanitoriums? And do those places still exist but we call them something else? A simple post on granola and my mind is off in a thousand directions. I’ll leave it to you to answer those questions for yourself.)
ANYWAY…
When the “health food” craze kicked off in the ’60s, mixtures of oats, grains, fruits, and nuts became popular as a breakfast food and a snack. The name granola reappeared to describe these yummy concoctions. It was also a slang term for hippies, who tended to be associated with the health food movement, which I think is odd since I associate hippies with a not-so-healthy lifestyle. Hmmm.
Even now the term “Granola Girl” is used to describe someone who is earthy, eco-conscious, and a little “out there.” According to my in-depth research, Granola Girls are typically progressive liberals who religiously recycle and compost, and have probably tried veganism at least once. (I’m not making this up…It’s straight from the internet, so it must be true, right?)
However, though I do recycle and occasionally am a little “out there,” I’m not your typical Granola Girl. In fact, I would argue that this moniker is unjustly betrothed to a single political bent, considering all the conservatives I know who love the stuff. Granola’s not just for hippies anymore. (Should that be a bumper sticker?)
This much I do know, packed with plenty of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, granola is great on yogurt, as a cereal with milk, eaten straight, or tossed over anything from salads to ice cream. And I think when you add it to ice cream, it makes the ice cream a healthier option.
What are You Waiting For?
Make a batch today because granola is the perfect snack for:
Watching football. Go Aggies! Go Kansas City Chiefs!
Watching The Voice. We’re loving the new judge, Camilla. She just saucy enough to handle Blake. And, speaking of handling Blake, don’t you hope Blake and Gwen have a long, happy marriage?
Binge-watching your favorite new Netflix series. Can anybody recommend one? We’re about to finish Better Call Saul.
Hiking. If we ever get off the couch, we are definitely up for a day hiking the wonderful trails in southern Illinois or western Kentucky.
Gifting. Scoop some of the crunch into cute containers and dole them out to the neighbors you’re thankful for or give them to teachers, or postal workers, or nurses, or beauticians, or ABSOLUTELY ANYONE you appreciate.
You in?
Brenda McElroy
I agree! Once you’ve had homemade you can’t go back. My recipe calls for maple syrup and I love that. I’m going to make your recipe next time. And my favorite time to eat it? Just after it comes out of the oven!
Tracey Buchanan
I can’t resist it right out of the oven! Mmmmm
Leslie Watkins
Can’t wait to try this!! It looks amazing!