Homemade Granola and Granola Trifle

runchy and nutty, fruity and filling, Granola is my "do not feel guilty after snacking" snack. I keep a big jar of it on the counter at all times for those late afternoon hunger pangs :)

There is no set recipe for granola besides a few basic components that are - rolled grains like oats, nuts and seeds, oil, spices, sweetener. Their homemade version is always the best as they can be easily customized to your personal preference. You can control the amount and type of sugar and oil, add your favorite nuts and choose your own grains. It works even better for those of us who have certain food allergies as you can rest assured of the contents of your snack. Granola has a good shelf life so you can make enough in advance to see you through for a few days or even weeks, not to mention it ends up being a lot cheaper too compared to buying from the store.

I always thought granola would be a bit a little tricky to make. But I soon found to my pleasant surprise they’re really not. It took me under an hour from start to finish, the hardest part being chopping the nuts (which you can simplify by getting the chopped ones from the store :)  Simply mix everything, boil some syrup mix both together in a big bowl and pour them into a baking dish. Done!

I can munch on fistfuls of this fabulous snack but one of my favorite ways to eat this is also as a Trifle. I cannot think of a better way to start the day than with a bowl of fresh fruit and berries and plain greek yogurt topped with homemade granola.

Granola, originally known as granula, was invented in the United States in the late 19th century. Some claim that it was re-invented during the 1960′s when fruit and nuts were added to the mix to make it more like a health food.  

Contrary to the popular notion, granola does not have to be only breakfast or that occasional snack. It can be used equally well in desserts like ice-creams and even a light meal like parfaits, trifle etc!

This is my personal granola formula, it is  just the way I like it - nut-rich, fruity, and   moderately sweet with little chocolate , so feel free to experiment.

Yum! I think I’m going to get my bowl of granola... right now :D

Ingredients:

Old fashioned Oats ........................... 2 1/2 cups

Honey ........................................... 1/3 cup

Brown sugar ................................... 1/4 cup (I use the light brown sugar)

Slivered Almonds ............................. 1 cup

Walnuts ........................................ 1/2 cup, chopped

Sunflower seeds .............................. 1/2 cup

Flax seed Powder ............................. 2 tbsp

Wheat germ ................................... 1/4 cup, toasted

Dried cranberries ............................. 1/2 cup

Dried cherries ................................. 1/2 cup

Dates ........................................... 1/4 cup, chopped (optional)

Vanilla extract ................................ 1 tsp

Cinnamon powder ............................ 1/2 tsp

Dark chocolate chips ......................... 1/4 cup, optional

Oil ............................................... 2 tbsp (I use Canola)

Salt ............................................. 1/4 tsp

 

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 325ºF.

2. In a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, walnuts, flax seed,wheat germ, sunflower seeds and cinnamon, give a good mix.

3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix oil, honey, brown sugar, vanilla and salt. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and let simmer for 1 - 2 minutes.

4. Add the syrup to the oat mixture and mix to coat evenly. Spread it on a non-stick cookie pan lined with parchment paper and bake in the over for 35 - 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes for even cooking. Keep an eye as every oven is different and they tend to burn quickly.Take out, stir again and leave to cool. It gets crispy as it cools.

5. After it cools down to room temperature, add in the dried berries, chocolate, dates and store in an air-tight container at room temperature. It can keep for weeks. ENJOY!

For the Trifle -

In a bowl or glass take a couple of tbsp of the granola, top with a couple of tbsp of plain or flavored fat-free greek (or plain) yogurt, top with fruits and fresh berries of your choice. Repeat the layers for the desired layering effect. ENJOY your guilt free dessert.

Notes:

1. You can also use dried apricots, mangoes, pineapple, etc. and any other nuts of your choice in this recipe.

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