I like to cook, but I don’t go out on a limb that much. I like having a set recipe to follow, and I rarely deviate from that recipe. Well, okay, I like those “one dish” things in which you just throw everything in and see how it comes out. But that’s different from what I am talking about. I’m talking about making something specific.
This year, though, I got it in my head that I wanted to make homemade granola to give to a few people as Christmas gifts. I looked up granola recipes on line, and I found as many recipes as I found sites. So, I decided to strike out on my own, armed with multiple recipes from which to pull ideas.
I am proud to say, my creation came out delicious! In fact, my husband and I downed the first batch in one sitting and I had to make more to give as gifts! So, I thought I’d share my recipe and add it to the nine million others out there.
Start with around 2 cups of rolled oats. Not instant oatmeal. Rolled oats. It’s pretty common. In fact, my package I got off the penny rack at Publix a few weeks ago!
2 cups rolled oats
Then you want to gather a mix of nuts. I picked up a package of mixed nuts and dried fruit, and it was a bit of a hassle to separate the fruit out from the nuts. But it was cheaper than buying the mixed nuts and dried fruit in two different containers. It worked for me, but to each their own. Put as many nuts as you want. I shot for around a cup’s worth.
Mixed nuts
You’re going to want to take those bigger nuts and chop them down into smaller pieces. Remember this is supposed to be an easy to eat granola! Once you chop up the bigger pieces, add all the nuts to the oats. (Some people like coconut in their granola. You’d add that in here. I happen to hate coconut, so this is a coconut free zone for me.)
Add the nuts to the oats.
Add to the nuts and oats about 1/2 cup of vegetable oil and 1/4 cup of honey. Keep in mind, eating honey harvested locally is a great way to fight allergies! So I suggest getting local honey to use in your granola. Mix it all up until the oats and nuts are evenly coated.
Mix oil and honey evenly over the oats and nuts.
Spread the mixture into a baking dish. I used a basic Pyrex cake pan. Place in an oven heated to 300° for around half an hour. You’ll know when its ready, though, because it’ll turn a golden brown color. Make sure you stir the mixture periodically. Every 8 – 10 minutes seemed to work well for me. It just ensures it all turns the same brown color.
It'll turn a golden brown when its done baking.
Return the mixture to your mixing bowl, and at this point add the dried fruit. For my batch, I used raisins, but any dried fruit would be delicious! Use as much or as little fruit as you wish. I used about 3/4 cup for my batch, and it came out just right to me.
Mix in the raisins and you're done!
Once you’ve added the dried fruit, you are basically done. However, it’ll still be warm, and as it cools it’ll want to clump up into one big ball. So, either mix it periodically to break it up, or place the mixture into a bowl with a good lid. Once it cools, you can just shake the bowl vigorously to break it up for eating.
Enjoy! It’s soooo good and healthy. Simple to make, and easy to eat on the go. I can tell you now, this will be a staple in our house!
Basic recipe:
2 c. rolled oats
1 c. mixed nuts
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. honey
3/4 c. dried fruit
Mix rolled oats and nuts in a large mixing bowl. Add oil and honey, and stir to coat evenly. Spread into a baking dish and bake at 300° for half an hour, mixing regularly to ensure even baking. Remove once its a golden brown. Return mixture to mixing bowl and add dried fruit. Mix well. And you’re done!
YUM!
