#mythrilfork

I recently learned how to make crunchy granola without oil. A Google search will tell you the empirical formula is 3 cups of dry components + 1/2 cup of a liquid sweetener. Easy enough, and it yields granola with tons of clusters (the best part). I like to add extra fixings once the granola has baked and cooled, which makes it a great trail snack or hearty breakfast.

Granola with fixings

2 cups oatmeal (not quick cooking)

1 cup dried millet

~2 tbsp sesame seeds

a pinch of salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

2/3 cup orange juice (or ~3 tbsp OJ concentrate)

1/2 cup maple syrup (or other liquid sweetener)

1/2 cup dried currants

1/2 cup dried sour cherries

1/2 cup slivered almonds

1/2 cup dried coconut flakes

1. Reduce the OJ down in a small saucepan over medium high heat until it has thickened, and you’re left with about 1/4 cup of juice. Alternatively, use a few tablespoons of concentrated OJ. Set aside and let it cool.

2. Preheat oven to 375 F. In a large bowl, toss together the oatmeal, millet, salt, and cinnamon.

3. Once the OJ has cooled, add it to the oat mixture along with the maple syrup (maple syrup works really well for super cluster-y granola, but feel free to use honey or any other liquid sweetener).

4. Mix well. Spread the mixture out  in a solid rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick, on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone mat (really compact it together).

5. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the edges start to brown (mine took about 15 minutes). DO NOT STIR WHILE IT’S HOT. Remove from the oven, and let it cool for at least 30 mins before breaking it up.

6. After the granola has cooled, break it up into chunks. Add it to a bowl with any other fixings you like. I used the dried fruit, almonds, and dried coconut, but you could certainly enjoy the granola plain.

I like fancy cakes and tarts just fine, but sometimes I want a snack that’s a little simpler - fruit & whole grain. It certainly sets the mood when I’m trekking terrain that reminds me of The Shire. 

Spring/Summer were busy, but good to me. I traveled a lot for work, my family visited, my in-laws visited, my husband and I started working out 6 days a week/eating healthy...the latter caused a sharp decline in cooking tasty foods and ramped up time spent in the outdoors.

(The blackberries are from a half-hearted attempt to pickle blackberries, the first two photos are from one of our last camping trips in Virginia, and the above photo is from Trinity Alps Wilderness).