If you haven't already figured it out, I'm a huge fan of the salty-sweet combo. Falling under this category is the olive-oil granola Alicia sent me, the sweetness from the maple syrup is balanced by a bit of kosher salt... it was gone alarmingly fast! I knew I'd be making it again (and again), but I tried to make it a tad bit healthier to account for how quickly I consumed it. Alone, on yogurt, with milk... you get the idea.
The result was just as tasty as the original. I should note that this granola (as I prepared it) doesn't have many clumps/clusters. There seem to be several thoughts on how to achieve this, but I thought I'd see if anyone has a tried and true method? Is it in the ingredients or technique? Chime in!
Olive Oil Granola
adapted from Alicia & the NY Times
Yield ~7c
I adored the pecans in this granola, but feel free to play around and find your favorite combination. Also, add any dried fruits you like after granola has cooled.
4-5c rolled oats
1 1/4c nuts (I went with a mix of salted pecans and almonds)
1/2c pumpkin seeds
1t kosher salt
3/4t ground cinnamon
1/2t freshly ground cardamom
1/2c grade B maple syrup
1/2c extra virgin olive oil
Preheat oven to 300deg.
Combine dry ingredients (oats through cardamom) in a large bowl and mix well. Add maple syrup and oil stir until well combined, all the oats should be nicely coated.
Pour granola onto foil-lined cookie sheet (you may need two) and bake for 40-50min, stirring every 10min. Granola with be toasty and golden when it's done. Let cool and then store in an airtight container. Tightly sealed ;)
Do you have a favorite granola recipe?
22 comments:
Alicia told me her granola is seriously addictive stuff. It looks like she wasn't wrong!
That granola looks so perfectly crispy. I do love salty sweet but I'm curious how that translates to granola.
Just voted ... good luck!! : )
The granolas I've made have come out clumpy thanks to half oats, half puffed brown rice cereal + applesauce + a touch of oil + both liquid and granulated sweeteners. I just play around with ratios until I get the result I want! I really loved this peanut butter granola: http://www.healthyfoodforliving.com/?p=13060
I need to try it with olive oil!
Mmmm I love homemade granola, I need to try this one!! I find for optimal clumping, I bake at a lower temp, maybe 275, and when I think its close to done I take it out and dont touch it or shake it at all until its cooled. I find thats when it clumps together best :)
I've actually never made my own granola which, now that I'm seeing yours, seems like a real travesty. Love that these have olive oil! Must add such a nice subtle depth of flavor.
This looks awesome! I've been eating granola all week. I use the Baked recipe, which has honey and brown sugar, and I think those ingredients help it to clump. The maple syrup in yours should do the same.
When you combine the ingredients, use your hands to mix and make clumps... like you would for streusel topping. And then when you stir the granola every 10 minutes, you should really be folding/turning it rather than stirring, so you don't break up the clumps too much. (Flour has served me well!)
Love the use of olive oil in this recipe. How fun. It's been way too long since I've made granola.
Oh and p.s. I gladly voted for you. :-)
http://www.thesweetslife.com/2010/02/best-ever-homemade-granola.html that's my all-time fave granola but this week i made pumpkin granola that isn't very clumpy but SO good! definitely want to try this olive oil version now!
Interesting combo! I love home making granola. My usual recipe is 2 tablespoons honey mixed with 2 tablespoons canola oil. Then add 2 cups oats, 1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut, 1 cup mixed nuts and seeds. mix mix mix, bake 250 for one hour
Olive oil in granola is such a great idea! I need some clumping advice too - I'll have to try Megan's tips :)
mmmm I love a salted caramel, and this sounds like a healthier way to satisfy it!
That looks like a great recipe! I should start making my own granola. It's so easy and way cheaper.
Never saw olive oil in a granola - love it!
Wonderful pictures! And of course the granola sounds delicious too :)
I love homemade granola. It's so easy. You've reminded me that I need to make some again.
Sounds like a wonderful granola, love the maple syrup here and cardamom!
oh I bet it tasted amazing! To get those clumps I usually have to use brown sugar and butter. Not the healthiest but it works!
LC
I promised Adam I'd make some granola for him this week. The little clusters are my favorite part, I always figured it was extra fat (somehow, don't ask me) that makes them. Interested to see other people's experience with this...
Oh, I meant to say fat + sugar ;)
I haven't had granola in ages - yours looks delicious! Hope you had a great weekend Shannon!
OK
sooooo trying this one
i love olive oil and it's so good for you.
love this!!
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