Mixers III

So I am still talking about mixed food; this time about homemade granola. It is a favorite in our house and it all started with Alton Brown's Granola (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/granola-recipe/index.html). Yummy! Unfortunately, his granola recipe has nuts in it which are a choking hazard and not recommended for children under three. So I have played with the recipe and come up with this:

2 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup shredded coconut (chef beware! some people are allergic to coconut)
1/2 cup toasted sesame seeds
1/2 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup flax seeds*
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup maple syrup

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Mix the oats, coconut, seeds, brown sugar, and spices together. Separately mix the oil and syrup, then pour over the oat mixture. Stir to thoroughly combine. Spread on two rimmed baking sheets and bake for about an hour; halfway through stir the granola and rotate the baking sheets.

The girls like it best served with milk in a cereal bowl. I eat mine with plain yogurt and sliced banana. I have also seen several recipes titled "muesli" which call for soaking rolled oats in juice for a few minutes and then adding in chopped fresh and dried fruit. Clare loved the muesli made with orange juice, pear and raisins.

*Flax seeds should be ground for more complete absorption. You can buy them ground but they turn rancid quickly. If you don't have the time or energy to grind them, better to eat them whole then not at all I say!