Homemade Granola. Finally....

Breakfast is a great meal. It's the first opportunity of the day we have to give our bodies energy, love, fuel, and flavor to send us on our way. I have always been a fan of the simple breakfast of yogurt, a piece of cut up seasonal fruit, and a sprinkle of granola on top. Surprisingly though I've never tried to make my own granola... until today! Below is my first successful batch of granola, recipe from the blog Tea and Cookies. I liked this recipe for a few reasons. First, I am ginger obsessed so naturally any recipe with ginger (in any form) attracts my attention. I also liked the low amount of sugar and the variety of nuts and seeds included. I only needed to gather up a few items from the bulk foods section at the grocery store since the pantry at my house tends to be pretty stocked with basic items. One of the joys of living with 7 other people who like to cook!

Cranberry Ginger Granola

Ingredients: 

3 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cups slivered almonds

1/4 cup chia seeds

1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds

1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds

1/4 cup flax seeds

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbs vanilla extract

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup honey

1 cup dried cranberries

1/3 cup crystalized ginger

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Prep a large baking sheet by lining with foil, parchment paper, or greased with butter or oil. 

In one large bowl, combine oats, almonds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, and salt. In another smaller bowl mix vanilla, olive oil, and honey. 

Ooooo look at how beautiful all those ingredients look together! It's an olive-oil, honey, vanilla art piece! 

Pour liquid ingredients over dry ingredients and mix together well (I used a large whisk).

Spread granola on baking sheet and place in oven. Meanwhile, prep dried fruit by measuring out cranberries and cutting up ginger into small pieces.

Check granola every 10 or so minutes to stir. Granola should be golden brown and finished in 30-45 minutes. 

When done mix in dried fruit as the granola cools. 

Finished! Store in airtight containers, enough to give some of your homemade granola to friends! 

Eat directly from the jar, with rice milk (my favorite, although any milk will do!), or sprinkle over yogurt!