Ninas Healthy Granola Food

HEALTHY GRANOLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts and/or seeds, salt and cinnamon. Stir to blend.
• Pour in the oil, maple syrup and/or honey and vanilla. Mix well, until every oat and nut is lightly coated. Pour the granola onto your prepared pan and use a large spoon to spread it in an even layer.
• Bake until lightly golden, about 21 to 24 minutes, stirring halfway (for extra-clumpy granola, press the stirred granola down with your spatula to create a more even layer). The granola will further crisp up as it cools.
• Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed (at least 45 minutes). Top with the dried fruit (and optional chocolate chips, if using). Break the granola into pieces with your hands if you want to retain big chunks, or stir it around with a spoon if you don't want extra-clumpy granola.
• Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks, or in a sealed freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. The dried fruit can freeze solid, so let it warm to room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

HEALTHY GRANOLA

Steps:

• Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Toss together the oats, millet, almonds, coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds in a large bowl.
• Whisk together the olive oil, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla and 3/4 teaspoon salt together in a small bowl.
• Pour the olive oil mixture into the oat mixture and toss until evenly coated. Spread out on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until golden and toasted, tossing the mixture around about halfway through, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely on the baking sheet, then store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

NINA'S HEALTHY GRANOLA

Steps:

• In large bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, coconut, nuts and nonfat dry milk.
• Combine honey, oil, water and vanilla (in separate dish).
• Add slowly to oat mixture and stir to coat.
• Turn into 2 large pans (shallow -- like a cookie sheet).
• Heat in 300 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.
• Stir twice during heating. Stir occasionally while cooling.
• Add berries, store in tightly sealed containers or bag, and enjoy!

KID SAFE (NUT FREE) GRANOLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Combine oats, cereal, and wheat germ or flaxseed in large bowl.
• Heat brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, oil, and salt in saucepan just until sauce melts together.
• Remove from heat, add vanilla, stir, and add to oat mixture.
• Thoroughly fold sauce into the cereal. This takes a bit of patience and the cereal mixture will appear a bit dry.
• Spread onto greased jelly roll pan.
• Bake approximately 20 minutes, taking out to stir (so the edges don't burn) every 6 or 7 minutes, until it is toasted to your liking. I like it nice and crunchy so I let mine go about 24 minutes or so normally.
• Cool, stirring every 5 minutes or so to ensure that it doesn't clump together too much - it will not harden in "clusters," rather it ends up a little looser like cereal, which is great for sprinkling over yogurt.
• Store in airtight container.
• *VARIATION for adults: Replace crisp rice cereal with 2 cups nuts of choice - almonds, walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc. or combination. Follow remainder of recipe as directed.