Chico Granola Food

CHEF JOHN'S GRANOLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone liner.
• Combine brown sugar, maple syrup, oil, and salt in a bowl. Add oats, almonds, pumpkin seeds, and coconut. Mix well, making sure all ingredients are coated evenly.
• Pour onto prepared baking sheet and distribute in an even layer.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes lightly with the tines of a fork so mixture toasts evenly and granola is golden brown.
• Pour into a bowl and, while mixture is still hot, mix in currants. Cool. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.

BASIC GRANOLA RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, mix together the oats, light brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Stir the honey, oil and vanilla extract into the dry ingredients. Use your hands if necessary to make sure it's well combined.
• Spread the mixture in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes and then remove from the oven and stir; add the chopped almonds. Return to the oven and bake until everything is toasted and evenly browned, an additional 10 minutes.
• Allow the granola to cool on the baking sheet, then add the dried cranberries and toss to distribute. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

GRANOLA CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In the bowl of an electric stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), beat together the brown sugar and butter until fluffy. Beat in the vanilla. Add the eggs 1 at a time, scraping the bowl after each.
• Mix together the flour, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl. Add it to the creamed mixture in 2 to 3 batches, mixing until just combined. Mix in the oats, Granola, apricots and chocolate chips until just combined.
• Use your preferred-size cookie scoop (or a regular spoon) to drop portions of dough onto lightly greased baking sheets, spacing them a couple inches apart. Bake until dark and chewy, 12 to 13 minutes. If you'd like a crispier cookie, just cook a little longer!
• Let the cookies cool slightly on the baking sheets, then transfer them to a plate for serving.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• In a bowl, toss the oats with the oil, melted butter and salt. Spread the mixture out on 2 baking sheets and toast in the oven for 12 minutes, shaking the pans twice during the cooking time and making sure the oats don't burn. Set aside to cool a bit.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey and molasses. Stir the mixture until combined, then heat over medium heat, stirring, until barely bubbling. Stir in the vanilla extract.
• Toss together the toasted oats, pecans, sunflower seeds and almonds in a large bowl. Pour in the sugar mixture, stirring as you pour. Toss to combine; it will be sticky!
• Thoroughly grease a baking sheet or line it with greased foil. Spread the mixture onto the baking sheet and bake until golden, about 30 minutes. Let cool, then use a fork to make clusters. Store in a jar until ready to use.

CHICO GRANOLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Cover 2 baking sheets by covering with wax paper and cooking spray.
• Combine first 5 ingredients in large bowl.
• Mix syrup, honey, and oil.
• Add to dry mix and stir until combined.
• Divide between baking sheets, spread evenly.
• Bake 20-25 minutes, toss half-way through baking.

HIPPIE-CHICK GRANOLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350. Coat a baking sheet or jelly roll pan with cooking spray; set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the bran flakes, oats, almonds, pumpkin seeds, currants, cranberries, cherries, and flax seeds. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine the honey and the melted butter, and pour over the oat and fruit mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until combined.
• Spread mixture onto the prepared pan, and bake for 23 minutes or until golden. Cool on the pan, and break into pieces with a spatula. Store in an airtight container (I like a glass jar) for up to a week.