Recipe Tue Sep 01 2009

Granola, A Reason to Wake Up

Some people go to sleep so they can wake up for that morning cuddle. Others bounce out of bed energized for work. Still more enjoy the morning time because of the first cup of coffee... and then the second. I go to sleep with a childish excitement for the morning's feast known as breakfast. Breakfast often loses in the fast-paced American capitalist society. I do not blame people for choosing that extra 15 minutes of sleep and 5 minutes of hot shower over making an omelet. I reserve in depth breakfast gorging almost exclusively for weekends. Thus, my solution to the demands of a quick paced morning coupled with my desire for a delicious healthy breakfast is homemade granola. It is especially enticing when you put the granola in a large counter top mason jar so it can greet you as you brew your coffee and rush to the shower.

I have been playing with granola for a few years now. I prefer to bake a large batch on a weekend and then have it for a couple of weeks. My recipes have varied... I highly encourage experimentation in the production of granola. Using different types of oil, sweetening with brown sugar vs. honey, adding flax seed, mixing in dried berries, dousing with a bit of vanilla or cinnamon, sprinkling in some coconut shreds. The possibilities are truly limitless. I will share the latest recipe I used as I found it to be particularly hearty and satisfying. This recipe produces a granola that is not too sweet and especially healthy given the large quantity of flax seed. My disclaimer is that I often cook by adding things until they seem "right," so measurements may need a little adjusting.

-4 cups quick oats
-2 cups whole wheat flour
-1 cup flaxseeds
-3 cups coarsely chopped almonds
- 1 cup, packed dark brown sugar
-½ cup canola oil (may need more)
- 1/3 cup water
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1 tsp ground cardamom
-a drizzling of honey

Set oven for 300° F. Throw all of the ingredients in a bowl. Mix it up. Clump it together. Lay it out on baking sheets. Bake for 30-45 minutes, stirring about half way through. (Adapted from 64 Sq. Ft. Kitchen).

I like to combine my granola with plain yogurt or milk, a cup of coffee to the side and a moment of relaxation on my deck prior to entering the face-paced, exhilarating Chicago world.

— Jessica Gingold / Comments (3)