Yummy, Crunchy Granola #Foodie Extravaganza

It is National Oatmeal Month!  That means it is time to offer some respect to this healthy grain. I didn't know much about oatmeal's beginning, but I have learned that in the 1700s oatmeal was mostly used as fodder for horses and cattle.  Knowing what we do today, I can safely say that those were some healthy critters!

The benefits of oatmeal have really only been touted by doctors since the 1980s.  Besides being high in B vitamins and minerals, oatmeal also helps to reduce LDL cholesterol and may help reduce high blood pressure.  While there are other benefits, just those few makes oatmeal sound like a deal to me.

In celebration of this versatile grain, I decided to make a super, crunchy granola.  


Yummy Crunchy Granola
adapted from Baking Chez Moi

Yield:  about 10 cups
Preheat oven: 325° (rack should be in center of oven)
Two 9 X 13 inch Pyrex baking pans

3/4 cup honey
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 stick unsalted butter, quartered
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp sea salt (optional)
5 1/2 cups old fashioned oats (not quick-cooking)
1 3/4 cups raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup pistachio nutmeats (or omit the pistachios and increase the pumpkin seeds to 1 cup.)
1 1/2 cups slivered almonds
1 cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
1 cup moist dried fruit (raisins, cherries, cranberries, etc.) 

Combine honey, butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan.  Bring the mixture to a boil.  Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and salt (if using).

Toss the oats, seeds and nuts in a large bowl.  Mix thoroughly.  Pour the warm honey mixture over the oats.  Using a large wooden spoon mix until all of the dry ingredients are coated with the honey mixture.  Divide the mixture between the two baking pans.

The total baking time for the granola is 45-60 minutes.  This will be done in increments as the mixture must be stirred, scraped and turned.  Put the two pans in the oven.  In 20 minutes remove the pans and using a large spoon turn the mixture.  Return the pans to the oven.   In 20 minutes remove the pans and sprinkle 1/2 cup coconut on top of each pan.  Stir, scrape and turn the mixture to the oven for another 5 to 15 minutes.  The granola should be a golden brown.  It will be a soft and sticky mixture.

Pour the granola into a large bowl.  Stir in the dried fruit.  When the granola cools to room temperature, break up any large clumps that have formed.



Foodie Extravaganza is where we celebrate obscure food holidays or cook and bake together with the same ingredient or theme each month.

Posting day is always the first Wednesday of each month. If you are a blogger and would like to join our group and blog along with us, come join our Facebook page Foodie Extravaganza. We would love to have you! If you're a spectator looking for delicious tid-bits check out our Foodie Extravaganza Pinterest Board! Looking for our previous parties? Check them out HERE.

Take a look at what the bloggers are sharing to celebrate National Oatmeal Month!

Comments

  1. Love homemade granola and your version sounds amazing.

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  2. Kathy, Great granola mix! Love oats and granola is a treat for us instead of something really sweet... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

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  3. Thanks for picking this great theme. I'm inspired to do more with my oats. Happy new year!

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  4. Thanks for a great theme! Have you tried the granola bars from Baking Chez Moi? They are so good too!

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  5. That sounds like a delicious mix in there!

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  6. What a great mix of ingredients! My son loves granola. I think we'll make this together.

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  7. Pistachios too!!! There's no way I could resist!!! Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck - Colleen

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  8. I love these as they make a great to-go snack!

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