Recipe: Barley & Oat Granola
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09 February 2011
Wheat free, Vegetarian
Organic granola to jump-start your day
Delicious though they may be some granolas are more like desert than breakfast cereal. This version is lighter but no less delicious meaning you can enjoy it everyday! The addition of apple sauce makes up for most of the oil and sugar that is added to other granolas, not to mention that it tastes great with the cinnamon and honey.
The best thing about granola recipes (this one included) is that they can be altered to suit your tastes and/or what you have in the cupboard. This recipe uses barley flakes which give a lovely crunch, but you could use other rolled cereals instead or 100 % oats. Try different spices (nutmeg, ginger, cardamom…) and sweet syrups like agave and maple, or experiment with different combinations of nuts, seeds and fruits. The possibilities are endless!
Ingredients (makes 6 cups)
2 tbsp honey
½ cup unsweetened apple sauce
¼ cup safflower oil
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp sea salt
2 cups barley flakes
2 cups unstabilised coarse rolled oats
¼ cup oat bran
½ cup desiccated shredded coconut
½ cup almonds, roughly chopped
¼ cup sunflower seeds
¼ cup pepitas
¼ cup dried fruit (such as sultanas, cranberries, sliced apricots), optional
Method
1. Preheat oven 150°C.
2. In a small saucepan stir honey, apple sauce and safflower oil over a low heat until combined. Allow to cool a bit then stir in cinnamon, vanilla and salt.
3. In a large bowl mix the remaining ingredients together. Add the honey mixture and use a big spoon (or your hands) to thoroughly combine.
4. Spread granola, in an even layer, over two baking trays.
5. Pop both trays in the oven and bake for between 30 and 45 minutes, gently stirring every 10 minutes without fail. When the granola is crunchy, toffee-coloured and irresistible smelling it’s ready.
6. Cool completely in trays before adding dried fruit and storing in a tightly sealed container.