Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Fruit and Nut Granola (gluten free)

Hey everyone...this is my new blog...how important am I????
I just wanted a space to share recipes, swap pointers and helpful food hints, and just have fun!
...The first recipe is the one I made this morning...and it's not like I cook every morning...
It's a really yummy granola that I altered a bit to NOT include any wheat or gluten products because my husband can't eat it...so hear we go!

You need a big bowl , a small bowl, a big spoon and a cookie sheet that's about 10x15 or so with a 1 inch lip..

4 cups of rolled oats
1 cup flaked coconut ( I like to use unsweetened coconut )
1/2 cup sunflower kernels, flax seed, pecans, walnuts, sesame seeds, etc...each...depending on what you like and have in the cupboard

Mix all that in the big bowl
In the little bowl...

1/2 cup of honey ( or maple syrup or brown sugar)
4 T. of oil...olive or expeller pressed canola or whatever you like to use
4 T of orange peel...or a dash of orange extract...or omit if neither...the orange peel really adds a kick to the flavors.
2 t. vanilla extract
1/2 t. salt...but I leave this out because it really doesn't need salt

Mix that up in the little bowl and stir into big bowl until well mixed
Spread it out on the ungreased cookie sheet or baking dish...as thin a layer as you can for baking
Pop it into a 350 degree oven and set timer for 10 minutes
Stir in 10 minutes and set timer for 10 minutes
Stir it up again...turn it over on the sheet to get it all brown and yummy, then set the timer 10m
It usually needs about 40 minutes or 4 times of stirring to get it evenly browned and not burned

Then comes the good part...put the hot oat mixture back into the big bowl and add...

1 cup each dried cranberries, raisins, dates, figs, whatever you have in the dried fruit department......I like to add the fruit when the oats are hot to soften them a bit too

Let it dry completely and store in an airtight container...
This last a couple of weeks if no one is in the mood to eat granola ...or a couple days if everyone is in the mood to eat granola..

Okay...I need someone else to share a recipe they have fun with...improvisation is greatly encouraged!






5 comments:

  1. Forgive the spelling blunders..it's the first time and I forgot to edit before posting! eek!

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  2. This is great! I was just thinking about making some granola because the store bought isn't always good and it's expensive! I'm really excited to try this.

    I'll be back sometime soon with a recipe too. :)

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  3. I love it and I love this concept! This is Meg by the way.

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  4. OK Lois, I will submit a family favorite (you would need to adapt it to make it gluten free though). You can call it scalloped corn, baked corn, corn souffle....whatever you feel like.
    3 beaten eggs
    1 can cream style corn
    1 cup milk
    1/2 cup flour
    4 T melted butter
    salt and pepper to taste
    Dash of sugar

    Combine above ingredients and pour into a greased casserole dish. Bake for 1 1/2 hours in 325 degree oven.

    ReplyDelete