I woke up on Friday with newfound energy and found myself in the kitchen inspired to make my weekly granola, tofu, ghee and dosa batter supplies.  All in one morning!

As a family, we try to stay away from processed boxed cereals.  These are heated to such high temperatures and pressures, making them very hard to digest.  I needed to devise something to tempt my children and keep them tempted.  Something that tasted good.  This granola seemed to do the trick.

Meet our very naughty, mischievous goats – Grace & Ester

Enjoying this version above, dried apricots, macadamia, orange & lemon zest

granola

Lately, I have been grinding 2 cups of the oats to rough flour and adding ½ cup water to the wet ingredients  – creating clusters of crunchy oats throughout.  

I often prepare a batch of granola and a jar of homemade almond milk to give as a gift for a housewarming or to say thank you.  Just bottle it in a jar or paper bag with a homemade label.

Makes about 6 cups 

ingredients 

500g/5 cups flaked rolled oats

200 – 300g/2 cups flaked almonds/finely chopped slivers of whole almonds

50g/½ cup each sunflower and sesame seeds

65g/¾ cup unsweetened coconut flakes

¼ tsp ground cardamom powder

2 tsp cinnamon powder

½ tsp fine rock salt

1 Tbsp vanilla essence

½ cup ghee/cold-pressed coconut oil/olive oil (I use an equal mix of ghee & oil)

½ cup maple syrup

¼ cup brown rice syrup

160g/1 cup dried fruit, coarsely chopped (sultanas, cranberries, dates, goji, figs or dried apricots)

preparation 

1. Preheat oven to 350F/180C.

2.  In a large bowl, combine oats, flaked almonds, seeds, coconut flakes, cardamom, cinnamon powder and salt; stir to combine.

3.  In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted ghee, oil, maple syrup, brown rice syrup and vanilla essence.

4.  Pour over the oat mixture and combine well, for 1 minute, so all is well-coated.

5.  Spread the granola mixture on a deep baking tray and roast in the oven for 30 – 40 minutes. Turn the granola over every 8 – 10 minutes.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

6.  Once cool, stir in the dried fruit. The granola will continue to crisp as it stands.   

Serve with fresh milk, homemade almond milk or creamy yoghurt, and seasonal fruit.  Great for breakfast, lunch or dinner!

Shared goodness from Stacey