30 January 2010

Vanilla Olive Oil Granola




I take breakfast very seriously. I start looking forward to it when I go to sleep, and the very thought of it gets me out of bed. Granola is one of my favorite breakfasts because it has so many different textures and flavors and you can put whatever you want in it. Recently, my friend Holly made me some granola with big coconut flakes in it. That sealed the deal. I knew I loved coconut in granola, but I kept using the small flakes because my brain shuts down the moment I walk into New Seasons and the bulk isle overwhelms me so. Big flakes are what makes granola rule! I marched right down to the store and bought two bags (ambitious). Here's what I came up with for this weeks granola:


Vanilla Olive Oil Granola

3 cups oats
1 cup large flake coconut
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1 cup pecans
1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
2/3 cup honey
juice from one large orange
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Combine oats, nuts and fruit in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl mix honey, orange juice, oil, vanilla, and nutmeg. Pour over the oats and combine well. Spread mix out in a large glass pan and sprinkle the salt over the top. Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes or so, stirring frequently. Cool granola completely before serving, and store in mason jars or any airtight container.

3 comments:

g.animalz said...

whats your stance on died fruits in granola (besides coconut)? dates, crazinz, cherries....

mama bear said...

Breakfast is my absoltute favourite meal. I spend ages cutting up fresh fruit for our muesli, I can't start the day any other way! (Oh, and we do have nasties in our beaches, but better not to think about it and carry on. I think some easterly winds have blown the jelly fish in lately, I got one yesterday!)

Lilly said...

hi jenny! i tried your granola recipe last night and i think it turned out very well. i was skeptical about the orange juice, but i think it adds an interesting twist. do you think using apple juice might work? i think i am going to try that next time...