Granola

I do believe this is the best homemade granola recipe out there!  No, really, I do! It's sooo easy to make! It has only a tsp of sweetener per serving - ish I'm really just guessing but it's likely true)!! There are endless variations so you can change it up as you want! There is no one overpowering flavor that makes it difficult to throw into yogurt or over ice cream or into pancakes or whatever...

Come on... you gotta try it just once!!

It's soooo easy!!  AND did I mention... CHEAP compared to store bought granola! 

Granola

Preheat oven to 300 degrees

In a large bowl
4 cups rolled oats - I use old fashioned and not quick oats
1/2 cup flax seed
1 cup chopped walnuts, pecans or slivered almonds
1 tsp cinammon - little more  :)
1 tsp ginger 
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp all spice 

Mix all these together

Then pour the next three ingredients over top
1/3 cup oil - I use sunflower
1/3 cup agave nectar  - I usually pour about a TBSP of Molasses into the measuring cup first and then fill the cup up with agave - I find it's adds a richness and depth that you wouldn't get with the agave alone.  If you want it to taste like molasses, by all means add more.  (Other ideas below)
1/3 cup water


Mix all this together and spread out on a large baking sheet.  Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so.


When the granola is a nice golden brown, remove it from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet.  Once cool add...


1 cup dried fruit - in this mix I have dried cranberries and blueberries.  Throw in what ever you like! Or skip this step and add fresh fruit on top of your serving!  (It's even ok to add dark chocolate chips when you serve it over ice cream!)

Variations?!! Absolutely!!! Whatever you can think up...


Get crazy and bump up the spices with a 1/3 cup molasses (in place of the agave) and chopped up bits of candied ginger for a more gingerbread-type flavor, or try adding coconut and macadamia nuts to the original recipe.  How about pecans with maple syrup in place of the agave, or sesame seeds in place of the flax seed.  Try a mix of oats and a small flake cereal for a more muesli type granola.  

If you do get a bit crazy and discover some variation you love, share it with the rest of us so we can try it!!  I love to know what you all are up to and how you are making these recipes your own!!