Stovetop Granola

My problem with making granola is that it is always a large batch, as well as taking quite a bit of time.  A batch takes us almost a month to finish and towards the end, it deteriorates even just a little bit no matter how well it is stored.

The good news is that there is a easier, faster way to make granola, even if it is only for a single serving!  And no preheating the oven too!  This is granola cooked on the stove top!

Toast 1/3 cup rolled oats, 3 tablespoons chopped cashews, and 1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds in a wide, flat (nonstick) pan.  Add 1/2 tablespoon each of canola oil and organic honey and toss until everything is coated.  Stir occasionally until light brown, over low to medium heat (take care not to burn the mixture).  Add 1 teaspoon wheat germ.  Stir to mix completely.  Remove from heat, transfer to a plate to cool.  Add your preferred dried fruit mix. 

I based my stovetop granola on the recipe found at http://food52.com/recipes/38602-stovetop-granola.

B's Granola Bars

The little girl received this cookbook last Christmas.

This morning, the little girl asked me if we could make Granola Breakfast Bars from the book.

Except that she had a lot of other requests... chocolate chips instead of raisins, rice krispies instead of nuts... add marshmallows and more chocolate chips!

But most of all, she wanted to make the recipe all by herself.  And for the most part, she did.  Of course I wouldn't let her use the knife or switch the oven or stove on...

(from top left to right, bottom left to right)
1. Mix together 1-1/4 cup oats, 1/3 cup each marshmallows, chocolate chips and rice krispies.
2. Heat 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup butter and 1 tablespoon vanilla sugar over low heat until sugar is melted.  Remove from heat, add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and a pinch of salt.
3. Pour the hot "syrup" into the oats mixture and mix thoroughly.  The chocolate chips may start melting.  Press the mixture into a buttered, lined and (re)buttered 9x6-inch pan.  (The book recommends the use of a potato masher.)
4. Sprinkle more chocolate chips on top.

(Note:  We adjusted the recipe to fit a smaller pan and adjusted the ingredients to accommodate the various add-ins that the little girl wanted.)

Bake at 325F for 25 minutes.  Cool completely in the pan before slicing into thin bars.  We cut ours into 12 by 3 bars.

It was sooooooo yummy!  The little girl couldn't help munching!

Homemade Granola, No Sugar Added and No Nuts!

These days, hubby likes granola for breakfast.  But he's specific - he likes my homemade version because I skip the nuts and sugar, and I add loads of dried fruit!

I loosely based my recipe for granola on these.  As usual I made a number of changes, mainly that I (1) doubled the recipe, (2) used a mix of seeds, no nuts of any kind (3) used olive oil instead of coconut oil, (4) used organic agave instead of honey or maple syrup,  (4) skipped the extracts and salt, and finally (5) added the dried fruit after the granola baked and cooled.

Next time, I'm thinking of adding dried tropical fruits like papaya, mango, pineapple... then add fresh sliced bananas before serving!!!  Mmmmm...