Recipe : Crunchy Granola Suite!

Ok so I'm not referring to the classic Neil Diamond tune... although I don't mind a bit of Neil from time to time. My dad's love of Neil has certainly been passed down in the genes to me!
So what is this new found obsession with, Well  I have developed a love affair with Granola... (along with my recent  date ball obsession!) This has gone hand in hand in my new lifestyle as a ' vegetarian' and cutting sugar out - the processed white nasty kind of course! 

So Granola has become my favourite breakfast cereal as well as my snack of choice,  literally I could eat it at every meal as it is soo yummy and pretty darn healthy too! So you are entitled to eat  as much as you like right??? I give you permission..  Well not really,  although it is hard to stop at one, two or three handfuls!

I have tried a few recipes and have made changes here and there to suit my likes and dislikes, each time it seems to taste different but no less delicious. This one is a modified version of  the Alicia Silverstone Granola from her Kind Life Diet (Thanks Laura) 

Crunchy Granola
These are estimate amounts, I tend to throw things in and not measure very accurately. It also depends what ingredients I have on hand, it is very easy to improvise and use whatever  nuts take your fancy. 

2 Cups of Rolled Oats (organic if available)

1/2 cup of Rolled Quinoa (if desired)

1/4 cup of Sunflower Seeds

1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds

1/8 cup of Sesame seeds

1/8 cup of Chia Seeds

3/4 cup of whole almonds

1/2- 1 cup of shredded coconut 

1 teaspoon cinnamon (to desired taste)

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/2 cup of Maple Syrup

1/4 cup of almond butter

1/2 cup of Coconut Oil  and a little Flaxseed Oil - Or Sunflower oil

1/2 teaspoon of Sea Salt (I use Himalayan as it is really tasty)

Sultanas, Cranberries and Apricots optionals at the end , even a few Dark Choc Chips!

OK so here are the steps to creating the perfect crunchy Granola!! 

- Preheat the oven to 175 degrees , Spray an oven tray with an Olive Oil spray and line the tray with baking paper . Mix together all of the dry ingredients except for the fruit. Melt the Coconut oil in the microwave until it forms a liquid. Mix with Maple Syrup, Vanilla Essence and the almond butter.  Add the wet ingredients to the rolled oats/nuts and mix together. Make sure everything is coated in the liquid, not saturated in it, but well covered.  Place on the baking tray evenly (you may need two trays if you have been over generous with the ingredients!) Put it in the oven  and  cook for for 30 -40 mins, giving it a flip over every 10 mins so the granola cooks evenly! It should be a gorgeous golden brown colour all over  when it is done. Sometimes it may need a few more minutes. I make sure it is really well cooked , the nuts should taste toasted when you eat them.. yum yum!!!  Once cooked, add the fruit/choc chips if thats your thing. 

Let it cool and then put it in an airtight container and watch it disappear. I am generally making a batch of this once a week! 

So sit back, relax, maybe  put a little Neil Diamond on and enjoy......


Until Next time ..... (and Ill talk coffee once more! ) 

Cooked to perfection (photo is not great!)