“You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces – just good food from fresh ingredients.”
~Julia Child~
We agree with pretty much everything Julia Child ever said. Ginger nut granola is old-fashioned food made from healthy natural ingredients. This month we’re all about visiting farmers markets and farm stands to take advantage of seasonal produce. Many farms stock local honey and maple syrup, and you can choose which to use for this recipe.
Depending on the individual ingredients you select, ginger nut granola can be organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, or vegan. I omit rolled oats just out of personal preference, but you can include them if you wish.
The beauty of making your own granola is that you can customize it to your tastes, while avoiding the refined sugars and fats that grocery store brands contain.
I serve ginger nut granola for breakfast with yogurt and berries, or pour milk over it like cereal.
Great substitutions or additions to ginger nut granola:
- dried cranberries, blueberries, or other dried fruit
- rolled oats
- wheat bran
- other favorite nuts
- chia seeds
- pumpkin pie spice in the fall!
- replace the oil and honey or syrup with 1/4 cup organic apple juice
An all-nut, all-seed granola sweetened with honey or maple syrup.
- 3 tbs coconut or other vegetable oil
- 2 tbs local honey or local maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup whole pecans
- 1 cup large flaked coconut, unsweetened, such as Bob's Red Mill brand
- 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
- 1/4 cup raw sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup ground flax meal
- 1/2 cup candied ginger chopped into 1/4 inch dice
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In a small bowl or heat proof liquid measuring cup, gently melt oil, honey or syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon in microwave on high for 30 seconds. Continue melting at 10 second intervals if needed. Stir together and set aside.
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Place all other ingredients except candied ginger in a large mixing bowl. Pour melted oil and honey mixture over and stir well so that nuts are well coated.
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour nut mixture onto sheet and smooth into a single layer.
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Bake at 375 for 9-12 minutes, rotating halfway through. Check at 9 minutes for doneness. Granola is best when it is deeply roasted to a golden brown.
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Remove from oven and cool completely. Add chopped ginger, distributing evenly.
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Store in an airtight container. Serve with yogurt, berries, or pour a little milk over and enjoy!
Happy baking!
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