Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Tasty Tuesday!

I like breakfast. I don't like to eat right away, but I do need to eat eventually. And I'm generally too tired or too busy or too something to really make breakfast, but I want something healthy and something that's going to fill me up for awhile.

I had forgotten that I used to love meusli. Mmmm granola-y cereal topped with yogurt. And since I don't like nuts and just about every granola you can buy has nuts in it, I decided to make my own. Plus, then I can add my personal favorite -- dried cherries. Yum!

I've been making my granola in batches for over a year now, and everyone in the family loves it. Little Miss loves to help, too -- always good to have a family friendly recipe around!

I typically make up a batch once every week or two and then store it in an airtight container. I eat it for breakfast with milk or yogurt. Little Miss likes her with soy milk. And my husband? Well, it's possible he uses it as a topping for ice cream. To each his own, right?

Anyway, this is my very own recipe for granola, healthy and without all the yuck you get commercially. Plus, it takes me less than forty-five minutes to make breakfast for a couple weeks, and most of that is easily the baking time where I can get other stuff done. You know, like blogging!

Enjoy this week's Tempt My Tummy Tuesday with Blessed With Grace for more fun recipes and kitchen tips!

Cherry Granola

Ingredients:



4 c. old fashioned oatmeal
1 c. wheat germ
1 c. cold milled flax
3/4 c. shredded coconut
2/3 c. pine nuts (toasted)
1 t. nutmeg
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/3 c. oil
3/4 c. honey
2 t. vanilla
1/2 c. dried cherries

(Yes, you can leave out the wheat germ and flax... just add a little extra oatmeal -- but it does make it that much more healthy!)

Mix all dry ingredients together in a bowl except the cherries.



Add the oil, honey and vanilla and stir until coated.



It won't be wet but be sure to continue stirring long enough to coat all the dry ingredients.



Turn out onto a greased baking sheet (silicone pads work great here). Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, stirring once two twice during cooking period - a large spatula works well for this.



Remove from oven and add the cherries. Stir to combine. Let cool then break up any large chunks and store in an airtight container up to a week.



Makes ~21 1/2 cup servings. Enjoy!

20 comments:

BloggessJ February 10, 2009 at 8:31 AM  

Yummy!

MaBunny February 10, 2009 at 9:21 AM  

That looks yummy - if i ate granola. I am not a big fan of trail mix or granola, but that actually looks good, and I just might try it!

Debbie February 10, 2009 at 10:11 AM  

I only started making my own granola a few months ago. I am hooked! My recipe is very similar to yours.

Jill February 10, 2009 at 11:36 AM  

Michelle... this sound so yummy! It's coming out my printer right now! I can't wait to try this! Thanks for the recipe! :)

Outnumbered2to1 February 10, 2009 at 11:54 AM  

I've actually been looking for a good granola recipe. Thanks for sharing yours. I'll have to try it.

Lisa@BlessedwithGrace February 10, 2009 at 4:39 PM  

Thank you. This will be a great recipe to have.

anymommy February 10, 2009 at 6:49 PM  

Ack! Blasphemy. I couldn't live without breakfast. Sometimes, I eat before I feed my kids.

Michelle February 10, 2009 at 8:15 PM  

Jamie - You forgot.... Healthy! Easy! Flexible! ;)

MaBunny - I'm not too into trail mix. I've got those nut issues, but this is great, especially with the yogurt!

Debbie - It's addictive, isn't it? And so much cheaper than buying cereal, too.

Jill - You're welcome! I hope you like it.

Outnumbered2to1 - This is a good one. Anything I can get the wee ones to eat now falls into that category. My, how my standards have changed!

Lisa - You're welcome. Enjoy!

anymommy - Well of course you do. I did that when I was pregnant, too ;)

Live.Love.Eat February 10, 2009 at 9:07 PM  

wow, I love that this has pine nuts in it.

Cookie February 10, 2009 at 9:52 PM  

That does look good!
I used to give my kids wheat germ when they were little. I forgot all about that!

bernthis February 10, 2009 at 10:01 PM  

looks amazing but me and carbs broke up the other day.

Karen February 11, 2009 at 7:37 AM  

Wow, does that ever look good.

Mom February 11, 2009 at 9:52 AM  

Ok that looks so yummy but the thought of putting all those ingredients together right now make me queasy, I'll need to try this in a few weeks.

Michelle February 11, 2009 at 6:19 PM  

Live.Love.Eat - Yeah, me, too. Other than hazelnuts, they're about the only nuts I can eat :)

Cookie - Oh wheat germ is a wonderful food. I sprinkle it on lots of things that no one knows about. Oops, now my cover's blown!

bernthis - Ouch. That must be a painful breakup. I don't think I could do that.

Karen - It is... I'd send you some, but I don't think it would make it there too well!

Steph - Understandably. But it's a great pregnancy snack. Lots of good ingredients to feed that new baby :)

Anonymous February 11, 2009 at 9:15 PM  

This looks deelish. I have been looking for healthier and more natural foods for our fam. I am definitely going to try this, thanks for posting!!

Michelle February 12, 2009 at 7:24 PM  

Gibby - I think this fits both categories. And don't forget you want to feed good tasting food ;) Good luck!

angela | the painted house February 15, 2009 at 8:34 PM  

Oh, mmm! I was just thinking today that I needed to make some granola. It's been too long. Hopefully I can whip this up later in the week. Thanks for the recipe!

Michelle February 16, 2009 at 9:06 PM  

Angela - It's funny how you miss granola when you don't have it in awhile (ok, maybe that's just me). Enjoy!

angela | the painted house February 23, 2009 at 9:43 PM  

You are totally right, I do miss it when it's gone!

I made your recipe tonight--yummy! I linked to you on my Dinner's Ready blog.

Thank you!

Michelle February 24, 2009 at 8:52 AM  

Thanks, Angela! I'm glad you liked it. I don't think you'll go for today's recipe though -- chicken!

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