Recipe of the Week: Easy Granola

Easy Granola

This recipe makes a fairly large batch, but stored in an airtight container it can last for weeks. This is a very simple recipe that can easily be altered to create different  flavors. Since we try not to eat too much processed sugars, the sweetness comes from honey and nut butters, but if you were not on a restricted diet, you could substitute agave, maple syrup or any other sweeteners according to your taste.

Prep Time: 5 Min

Baking Time: 30 Min

Servings: 10-15

4 C. Rolled Oats

2 C. Coarsely Chopped Nuts ( I use a combination of whatever I have on hand, usually Pecans and             Almonds)

1/2 C. Almond or Sunflower Butter

1/2 C. Honey

1Tbs. Vanilla Extract

1 Tbs. Cinnamon

1/2 tsp. Sea Salt

1.      Preheat Oven to 350 Degrees F

2.      In a large bowl, mix Rolled Oats and Nuts

3.      In a microwave safe bowl, mix Nut Butter, Honey and Vanilla. Microwave in 20 second intervals, until it can easily be mixed with a spoon.

4.      Mix the warm honey mixture into the oats and nuts. Toss with the cinnamon and salt.

5.      On a parchment lined baking sheet, spread out the granola mixture as evenly as possible. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until slightly golden brown, stirring after 15 min.

Variations:

Chocolate Granola: Substitute cinnamon with 2 Tbs. cocoa powder.

Pumpkin Spice Granola: Substitute cinnamon with pumpkin spice, substitute nuts with pumpkin seeds and substitute honey with Maple syrup

Fruity Granola: Substitute 1 C. of the nuts with 1 C. of  chopped, mixed, dried fruit such as           apricots, cherries and cranberries.