Recipe

Simple Gifts Granola

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Recipe
1 Question

Photo by drbabs

This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Holiday Breakfast II
Panfusine's Testing Notes: Addictive, elegant, incredible—I’m unable to define this granola with just a single adjective. It is hard to comprehend that such a delicious snack is made purely of healthy ingredients. The...
Addictive, elegant, incredible—I’m unable to define this granola with just a single adjective. It is hard to comprehend that such a delicious snack is made purely of healthy ingredients. The crunchy rolled oats, pumpkin seeds and nuts take center stage; the combination of cinnamon, clove and allspice is mild, establishing their characteristic flavors gradually. The surprise element in is the amazing combination of salty and sweet. Four different natural sweeteners give an additional depth to the flavor profile, and yet, the sweetness level is just right, balanced perfectly by the right amount of salt. One note: The suggested temperature of 275°F tended to slightly scorch the granola. A second batch toasted at 225°F for 40 (stirred at 10 minute intervals and cooled for an additional 15 minutes in the ‘shut off’ oven) worked out perfectly.

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Chef
drbabs's Notes: I wanted to make something to bring to sdebrango who hosted our FOOD52 cookbook party so I posted a question on the hotline about what to bring when you're a guest and have limited time...
I wanted to make something to bring to sdebrango who hosted our FOOD52 cookbook party so I posted a question on the hotline about what to bring when you're a guest and have limited time, and granola was one of the suggestions. Coincidentally, The New York Times Sunday Magazine had a recipe for granola from the Eleven Madison Park cookbook. I set out to make that one but couldn't find shelled pistachios (and I couldn't convince my husband to shell them and not eat them) or coconut chips, and I didn't have enough maple syrup, and I wanted to add some spice, so before you know it, i had changed the recipe around quite a bit. I was also inspired by chezsuzanne's granola with dried fruit, but since we're all nut fans around here, I decided to use nuts as well. What I really like about this granola is that it's not super-sweet, and there's a hint of salt, which in my view makes it great for snacking.

I'm making it next week to serve my nieces and nephews who are staying with us for Thanksgiving--their favorite breakfast is vanilla yogurt with granola. I think they'll really like this.

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Makes About 6 cups

3 cups rolled oats (I like Bob's Red Mill Extra Thick Rolled Oats.) Ask a question about this ingredient

1 cup roughly chopped walnuts (or a mixture of walnuts and pecans) Ask a question about this ingredient

1/2 cup pumpkin seeds Ask a question about this ingredient

1 tablespoon kosher salt (use about half of that for table salt) Ask a question about this ingredient

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon Ask a question about this ingredient

1/2 teaspoon allspice Ask a question about this ingredient

1/4 teaspoon clove Ask a question about this ingredient

1/2 cup dark brown sugar Ask a question about this ingredient

~2 tablespoons maple syrup Ask a question about this ingredient

~2 tablespoons honey Ask a question about this ingredient

~1 tablespoon molasses Ask a question about this ingredient

1/4 cup olive oil Ask a question about this ingredient

1 cup dried sour cherries Ask a question about this ingredient

Heat oven to 275. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, salt and spices.
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Place the sugar, syrup, honey, molasses and olive oil into a small saucepan and warm over low heat until the sugar has just dissolved. Fold liquids into the mixture of oats, stirring well so that the dry ingredients are thoroughly coated.
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Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or aluminum foil, and spread granola over it. Bake until dry and golden, 45-50 minutes, stirring granola about every 15 or 20 minutes. Remove granola from oven, and let it cool. Mix in the dried sour cherries, and store in an airtight container.
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12 Comments on Simple Gifts Granola

drbabs added 4 months ago

Oh, wow, I'm just now seeing these comments. Thank you, panfusine, for your great review, and thanks all for your comments. aargersi, I'm glad you like it! Happy New Year, everyone!

aargersi added 5 months ago

I am eating this right now, straight out of the tub - it is DELICIOUS! Like healthy crack - instantly addictive!!

ashley_samuel_pierson added 6 months ago

Yum Yum drbabs! Only question this or that wonderful chocolate coffee cake? I guess both!

sdebrango added 6 months ago

YUM again!

drbabs added 6 months ago

Oh, wow, thanks for all your sweet comments!

hardlikearmour added 6 months ago

Love it! What a great treat to bring to the party.

mrslarkin added 6 months ago

It sounds fantastic, drbabs. Love the name, too!!

lapadia added 6 months ago

Yum, sounds delicious, drbabs! Sorry I missed the party...ha :)

Bevi added 6 months ago

I will host a party for you when you come east and stay in Vermont!

lapadia added 6 months ago

I put that on my "to do" list, Bevi!!! :)

sdebrango added 6 months ago

I was the lucky recipient of this amazings granola and can attest to its utter deliciousness (is that a word?) It's the perfect balance of sweet and salty, the dried fruit and nuts and spicing are absolutely perfect. Love it!!!

Bevi added 6 months ago

I saw the fruits of your labor and the granola was beautiful indeed!