I guess I’m a hippie
October 1, 2009 § 6 Comments
After spending the last few days very sick with what I like to claim was swine flu, I’ve finally recovered enough to get back in the kitchen. But only to make one of my absolute least-effort recipes: granola!
My roommate claims that making my own granola puts me squarely in the class of people known as hippies. But I think I’m okay with that.
Now, normally I’m pretty militant about full-fat baking. Lots of people madly switch out butter for applesauce or put Splenda in their cakes, claiming it tastes just as good – they lie! I don’t see the point of eating lots of mediocre food when you could eat smaller portions of delicious food (although I actually still eat lots, so perhaps this logic is flawed.) But this granola is one of the rare recipes that really is still great if you cut some of the oil or sugar, and since one batch feeds me every day for at least a week, I tend to do that. I didn’t this time though. Calories will help fight off the flu.
The recipe is below, but it’s incredibly adaptable and easy to experiment with. I personally hate dried fruit, but if you’re under the mistaken impression that it’s worth eating, then add away! Nuts can be swapped out, coconut added – basically you can make granola exactly the way you like it. It has spoiled store-bought granola for me forever.
So there you have it, granola so easy that you can make it while you have the flu. Which I still maintain was of the swine variety. Makes for a better story.
Vanilla-Scented Granola – adapted from Epicurious
- 4 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup golden brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 300°F. Line a large baking sheet with foil.
Mix oats, nuts, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon in large bowl. Combine oil, honey, and sugar in small saucepan; bring to simmer over medium heat. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour hot liquid over oat mixture; stir well. Using hands (yay!), toss mixture until thoroughly mixed.
Spread granola on prepared baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. Transfer sheet to rack; cool granola completely.
Note: if you want chunky granola, you do need to let it cool before breaking it up. Personally, I don’t care enough for it to stop me from eating it hot.
one cake two cake 
Well, since I’m moving back to the states soon and need to use up my perishable food, it seems like a great time to make this. Thanks for the timely post!
I make my own granola too and guarantee Im not hippie! hahaha! Yours looks so great!
Thank you Jen! And Mara, I hope you like it!
[…] foodie hippie but still enjoyed granola. I never thought to make my own granola, though. I had been gawking/saving/hoarding granola recipes for a while, and I finally took the plunge as I ogled through Out […]
Looks fabulous! I’m making this today!
Hallejluah! I needed this-you’re my savior.