Granola

The other day we had a breakfast crisis of sorts at home - we were out of granola! Yes, please don't flame me for being an insensitive boob - I am aware that as far as food related trauma goes that is minor - at least we had food! However, in our world it did create a wee wrinkle.

I asked my friend, and all-round brilliant cook Sandi, if she had a granola recipe and she sent me her favourite. I smiled at it because the granola isn't what one would call low-fat. Mind you, Sandi is from the south. Perhaps any area that gives us Paul Deen actually considers only using 1/2 cup of butter to be low-fat! LOL

When I commented on the amount of butter this was her response:

Oh... I thought you wanted GOOD Granola. This might be the recipe you want. healthy granola!

Any wonder why we love to spend a few days drinking wine on a patio with Sandi? She is a stitch.

So I sucked it up and made her favourite recipe. Of course you know what happened - it was brilliant. Yes, boys and girls, butter and sugar will make anything taste amazing!

I did make a few changes to her recipe - I added some additional fruit (1/4 cup dried wild blueberries and 1/4 cup dried cherries), and some additional nuts (1/4 cup pecans), and I also added some spice - chinese 5-spice powder and cinnamon. I know that the Piggly Wiggly might not cary that fancy spice but I like the layer of flavour it adds . . . I did NOT adjust the butter or sugar. *smile*

This is far better than the stuff I buy from the bakeshop for $ 9 a bag. We don't use much of it as you can see from the pic below . . . just a bit on some low-fat yoghurt and fruit - so I guess that butter doesn't really matter that much!

Enjoy!

 Nutty Granola

1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, or pistachios)
2 Tbs sesame seeds
2 Tbs flax seeds
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 Tbs maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups oats

Pre-heat oven to 350°

Combine the nuts, sesame seeds, and flax seeds in a pan and lightly toast to bring out the flavor. Cover raisins and cranberries with orange juice and set aside. In a large sauce pan, melt butter sugar and syrup over low heat. Combine until smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla. Stir in nuts and raisins with juice. Next, stir in oats and mix until well blended. Spread out onto a sil-pat or cookie sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes. When cooled, break into chunks and store in an airtight container.

Comments

[sandi @ the whistlestop cafe]

I hope everyone clicks on the healthy granola recipe!!!!!

[sandi @ the whistlestop cafe]

I make this basic recipe different every time I make it... that is the beauty. It is great with any kind of dried fruit and any kind of nut.

Don't complain so~ butter is good for the complexion!

[Brad'll Do It]

Flax seed? I guess it's healthy, but here's what it leads to (from Wikipedia):

"make fabric, dye, paper, medicines, fishing nets, hair gels and soap"

Glad YOU like it.

[JDeQ]

Now Brad . . . there are benefits:
Its high content of alpha linolenic acids has made the ancient flax seed become our modern miracle food. Alpha linolenic acid is a type of plant-derived omega 3 fatty acid, similar to those found in fish such as salmon. Benefits of flax seed as shown in many studies include lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the Bad cholesterol) levels. Other benefits show that flax seed may also help lower blood triglyceride and blood pressure. It may also keep platelets from becoming sticky therefore reducing the risk of a heart attack.

Other Benefits of Flax seed
Aside from alpha linolenic acid, flax seed is rich in lignan. Lignan is a type phytoestrogen (antioxidant) and also provides fiber. Researches reveal that lignan in flax seed shows a lot of promise in fighting disease -- including a possible role in cancer prevention especially breast cancer. It is thought that lignan metabolites can bind to estrogen receptors, hence inhibiting the onset of estrogen-stimulated breast cancer.

Recent studies also showed positive benefits of flax seed oil in IBD (Crohn's Disease and Colitis). Flax seed oil seems to be able to heal the inner lining of the inflamed intestines.

Moderately include flax seed in your diet. Indeed, a lot of food products contain flax seed such as bread, cereal and bakery goods. Bakers may use flax seed flour or include flax seed in baking.

look at me - I have become a health nut. I think I need to go and eat chocolate!

[Brad'll Do It]

Have a little butter with your chocolate, and sprinkle some flax seed on top!

[JDeQ]

LOL - now THAT is the way to go! I wonder - does red win fo with that?