Recipe Corner: Granola Variations (plus 3-minute Oatmeal)

About a year ago, we found the following online recipe for Good Morning Granola.  We liked it.  It has evolved over the past year.  So, here is the current incarnation, along with our typical variations.  Our ingredients and methods are based on the original.  But we have changed and modified it.

This granola is excellent for breakfast or for a trail mix.  It is wonderful when mixed with yogurt (or Greek yogurt) and fruit for a yogurt parfait.  It makes a good ice cream topping, too.

Breakfast Granola

Preheat oven to 350F.

Step one -- the Dry Ingredients

Mix together:

2 cups oatmeal (old fashioned, the kind used for regular oatmeal)

1 cup of chopped nuts (lately, we've been using chopped walnuts, pecans, almonds, or a mix)

1 cup shredded coconut

Put all of the above on a cookie sheet.  Sprinkle some cinnamon on it, maybe about a tablespoon, though we don't always measure all that accurately.

Put the cookie sheet with the oat/nut/coconut mix into the oven and toast about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is at least a little bit toasted but not too brown.  Watch it carefully after about 8-9 minutes, because it can go from lightly toasted to over-toasted fairly quickly.  When it is about done, you can smell the aroma of things toasting.  Yes, that is how we usually judge when it's time to check on it.

Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and let it cool.  Mostly, it stays out of the way while you're doing everything else.

Step 2 -- the Wet Ingredients

This can be started while the other stuff is toasting in the oven.

In a saucepan, combine:

1/2 stick butter (4 tablespoons)

1/2 cup brown sugar, light or dark or a mix

1 tablespoon molasses (sometimes a bit more than a tablespoon, but who's counting?)

1/4 tsp salt, optional  (we usually use salted butter, so don't usually add any more salt)

Stir all together over medium heat on the stove until it becomes light brown and smells yummy and is all homogeneous.   Stir pretty much continuously so it doesn't burn. Then remove from heat.  You do not need to let this cool before going on to step 3.

We have not tried doing this in the microwave yet (in a microwave-safe bowl, of course!).  The original recipe called for maple syrup, but we usually use molasses.  I imagine honey would be good, too, or perhaps agave syrup or anything else that is sweet and flavorful.

Step 3 -- Combining It All

Put the toasted dry ingredients into a large-ish bowl.  Pour the wet syrup over it and mix it all up.

Step 4 -- Add-ins!

Add any or all of the following as the mood strikes.  Mix it in well so that it too gets coated in syrup.

1/2 cup raisins (we usually use golden raisins)

1/2 cup sliced dried apricots (slice them up with scissors -- it's fun!)

1/2 cup dried cranberries or Craisins

Any other dried fruit that looks interesting, such as dates or cherries or apples.

Chocolate chips (which we don't like, but don't let us stop you!)

Seeds such as sesame seeds or flax seeds

Etc.


Now that everything is mixed, let it cool.  Store in a container.  We usually put it in a ziploc gallon baggie.  No refrigeration needed.  We know this will last at least a day or two.  We don't know how much longer because we've always eaten it all up by then.



Bonus Recipe:  Microwave Oatmeal (aka Three Minute Oatmeal)

While we're on the subject of breakfast food, here is our very quick recipe for oatmeal for breakfast.  It is very, very quick to make.

In a small microwave-safe bowl, preferably with a lid, mix:

about 3/4 cup liquid, usually a mix of water and milk in whatever proportion one likes
1/2 cup oatmeal (old fashioned oats)

Put on the lid loosely, about halfway, so that some of the generated heat is trapped but air can still escape.

Nuke in the microwave about 2 minutes until it comes to a boil.  Remove.  Stir.  Add your favorite extras.  Eat.  It really does get done that quickly.


The more milk there is (as opposed to water), the faster it will boil.  It makes a big mess if it boils over.

You can use more liquid if you like your oatmeal a bit runnier.  The original recipe on the box calls for 1 cup milk, so you can see how we've adjusted it.

Potential add-ins:  salt, raisins, granola, brown sugar, syrup, dried fruit, fresh fruit, etc.

One tested winning combo is vanilla extract, cinnamon, and brown sugar, plus or minus chopped-up apple.

This is much more filling and probably better for you than sugar- and air-filled cold breakfast cereal!  And probably cheaper to make, too!