Granola

Have you ever made granola?  It is easier than it sounds and takes great!  I made mine in the crockpot, the house smelled amazing and the kids loved it.  We had it as cereal and with yogurt.  So good!  Give it a try.  Below is a recipe from a great website.  I borrowed the cookbook she wrote from the library.  Ended up using the recipes often and was glad to make use of my new crockpot!
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/11/crockpot-granola-recipe.html
The Ingredients.
- 5 cups oats (if gluten free, make sure the oats are certified GF.)
- 1/4 cup honey * (see note below)
- 1/4 cup melted butter * (see note below)
- 1 T flax seeds
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
- 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut
- 1/2 cup dried fruit

The Directions.

Put all the dry ingredients into your crockpot. You'll need at least a 4 quart.

Melt the butter in the microwave, and add. Add the honey. Toss well.

*note: if you add this amount of honey and butter, the granola will be cereal-like, and not trail-mix like. If you'd rather the granola clump together in pieces, you'll need to add more honey and butter. I tried it with the honey and butter doubled (1/2 cup each) and it still didn't clump much--so if you'd prefer your granola that way, you'll need to add at least 3/4 cup of honey. I didn't want that much sugar, and my kids are cool with eating it like this.

Cover, but vent with a chopstick. Cook on high for 3-4 hours, stirring every so often.

If you can smell the granola cooking, go stir. It will burn if you don't keep an eye on it. But it won't burn as quickly as it does in the oven!

(ask me how many batches of granola I've had to throw out after burning in the oven. go ahead, ask. )

7. at least 7. I am no good with the oven.

Dump out on some parchment paper and let cool. Eat with milk like cereal, warmed with milk like oatmeal, or as is. Seal well in an air-tight container or in a ziplock. Granola freezes well.

The Verdict.

This is one of the only times I haven't burnt granola, and my kids have been eating it non-stop since the first batch came out of the crock. I'm going to go have some more right now.

CROCKPOT GRANOLA
INGREDIENTS:

http://www.food.com/recipe/crockpot-granola-430931

Servings Size- 12

5 cups oats

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup melted butter

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1/4 cup slivered almond

1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds

1/4 cup raw sunflower seed

1/2 cup dried fruit 

Directions:

Prep Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 4 1/4 hrs

1. 1 Put all the dry ingredients into your crockpot.
2. 2 Melt the butter in the microwave, and add. Add the honey. Toss well.
3. 3 Cover, but vent with a chopstick. Cook on high for 3-4 hours, stirring every so often. (If you can smell the granola cooking, stir).
4. 4 Dump out on some parchment paper and let cool.

Crockpot Granola casserole

http://www.mrbreakfast.com/superdisplay.asp?recipeid=774

(8 servings)   

 

Crockpot Granola

http://www.busymomsrecipes.com/2010/02/crockpot-granola.html

5 c. rolled oats (NOT instant)
1/2 c. honey
1/4 c. salad oil
(Add: raisins, coconut, nuts, seeds, etc.)

Place oats, honey and oil in the crockpot, mix well. Cook on low, stirring every half-hour or so until dry and golden, about 3 hours or so. Keep lid propped open while crocking; I use a chopstick. When cool, mix in raisins, nuts, etc. Store in air-tight canister.