Crunchy Granola Over Plain Yogurt Middle Eastern Style Food

CRUNCHY GRANOLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.
• Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper and reserve.
• Combine brown sugar and water in a 4-cup microwave proof glass measuring cup or bowl. Place in microwave on high for 5 minutes and cook until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from microwave, add vanilla extract and salt.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, nuts, and brown sugar syrup mixture. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Spread the granola onto cookie sheets and bake 45 minutes to 1 hour or until golden and crunchy.
• When the mixture comes out of the oven, it is still very pliable. You may choose to add in dried fruit as a finishing touch at this time. When granola has cooled completely, store in an airtight container.

CRUNCHY GRANOLA OVER PLAIN YOGURT: MIDDLE EASTERN-STYLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
• In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, wheat germ, nuts, sesame and sunflower seeds, maple syrup/demerara or brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom and salt.
• Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the olive oil, agave or honey, and water. Toss the mixture until it is well combined, then spread it evenly on a cookie sheet.
• Bake the granola until lightly browned, approximately 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to keep the mixture from sticking.
• Set aside to cool completely, then stir in the dried fruit.
• Store left over granola in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• For 1 serving: Spoon yogurt into a serving bowl. Stir the rosewater or orange blossom water into the yogurt (start with a small amount then adjust).
• Top yogurt with some of the granola (about 1/2 cup give or take) and add a light drizzle of agave or honey.
• Enjoy!

CRUNCHY GRANOLA

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine the honey, oil and brown sugar; cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. , In a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, coconut, sesame seeds and sunflower kernels. Add honey mixture, stirring until evenly coated. Spread onto two ungreased baking pans. , Bake at 300° for 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in raisins. Bake 10 minutes longer. Cool, stirring occasionally. Store in an airtight container.

CRUNCHY HOMEMADE GRANOLA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Drizzle with honey and oil; toss to coat. Spread in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. , Bake at 300° for 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring twice.

MIDDLE EASTERN STYLE YOGURT

Steps:

• Line a sieve with a double layer of paper towels and set over a bowl. Whisk yogurt with salt and spoon into sieve. Let drain, covered and chilled, at least 12 hours and up to 24.
• Meanwhile, toast sesame seeds in a dry small heavy skillet, shaking skillet occasionally, until golden, about 2 minutes. Whisk together oil, mint, and thyme in a bowl, then add toasted sesame seeds and chill, covered, up to 24 hours.
• Bring sesame mixture to room temperature, then drizzle it over lebneh (thickened yogurt).