The Corporate Executive Chef of the new hotel where I am now a Cook, asked me to create a Fruit Smoothie and a Green Smoothie which are now featured on the menu. Guess who was super geeked about that. Yeah, that would be me! He also asked a fellow Cook on my team to make a granola recipe for the breakfast menu as well. In my expert granola snacking opinion, my new friend killed it. It was nutty, sweet, savory and it tasted like home. It inspired me to make my own recipe at home using a trusty formula that I’m now sharing with you!
When I thought of what ingredients I wanted to incorporate, I chose some of the goodies that I already had in my kitchen cabinets. If you’re going to be making my granola recipe or using the formula as a guide to make your own creation, I recommend doing the same thing. First go into your cupboards, pantry, and fridge to see what you already have before going out to the market to buy new ingredients. I already had sunflower seeds, shredded coconut, extra virgin olive oil, honey and vanilla extract. That’s an estimate of about $28 that I saved! The next step is to think about what you actually like, so your granola is made custom to your desired flavor palate. You don’t have to follow my recipe to the “T”, but rather use it as a guide. For example, I used one of my favorite nuts which are walnuts. Do that—pick your favorite nut and substitute it for the walnuts. Perhaps you like pecans, almonds or even pistachios. By all means, go nuts! Corny pun intended.
Now how do you use that same method for the other ingredients featured in this recipe? Good question. As I shared, I have a formula to follow that will streamline your granola recipe making, so whatever ingredients you choose, you’re still going to get the consistency of success with every combination your creative mind comes up with. Pick your ingredients with these categories, which are as follows:
GRANOLA FORMULA
OATS – Old fashioned is preferable
DRIED FRUIT – Craisins (cranberry), blueberry, raisins, pineapple, apricots, prunes, cherries, cranberries, dates, raspberry, goji berries, apple, banana, fig, mango, papaya, pear
NUTS – Almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, pistachio, pine nuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts
SEEDS – Sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, poppy seeds, etc.
TEXTURE, FLAVOR + NUTRIENT ENHANCERS – Cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, ginger, shredded coconut, cocoa nibs, vanilla extract, almond extract, etc.
SWEETENER – honey, agave, maple syrup, vanilla extract, almond extract, peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter
OIL – Extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil
Once you have all your ingredients figured out, then follow these measurements and steps.
Measurements
To make approx. 8 servings
2 cups Oats
¾ cups Nuts
¾ Dried Fruit
2/3 cups Seeds
Texture, flavor + nutrient enhancer, to your preference (use recipe for guidance)
1 cup Sweetener
¾ cups Oil
Now, these are the steps.
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350
Combine/mix dry ingredients in one bowl
Combine/mix wet ingredients in another
Combine/mix all ingredients together
Spread on oiled/lubricated foil-lined baking sheet pan, feel free to use parchment paper if you’d like
Bake for 18 to 20 minutes
Once toasted, remove from oven and let cool for about 5 to 10 minutes and peel and remove from pan, serve and store the rest for future snacking and fixing
Enjoy!
To powerful workweeks and great eats!
Love,
Yardley
