Granola

Granola is a breakfast food and snack food consisting of rolled oats, nuts, honey or other sweeteners such as brown sugar, and sometimes puffed rice, that is usually baked until it is crisp, toasted and golden brown. During the baking process, the mixture is stirred to maintain a loose breakfast cereal consistency. 

Although granola (or granula as it was originally called) was marketed for the first time in the United States in 1863, this mix of cereal, seeds and nuts did not become popular until the mid-20th century, specifically in the 1960s, when the hippie movement advocated for a healthy lifestyle and being connected to nature. As granola is full of energy and easy to eat, it was widely consumed during the famous 1969 Woodstock festival.

Granola mix should contain a combination of ingredients from four groups: cereal (usually oats), nuts (walnuts or almonds), dried fruit and seeds (raisins, dates, etc.) and honey. You can choose the quantities of these four groups. However, for a balanced granola mix there should be more cereal than other ingredients to avoid overloading it with calories. Accompanied by milk, yoghurt or kefir, granola is one of the most energy-boosting and healthy breakfasts. For an afternoon snack, you can add some fresh fruit. The result will be delicious.

INGREDIENTS

For 5 portions

• 300 g oats (not instant)
• 80 g raw unpeeled almonds
• 30 g desiccated coconut
• 50 g pumpkin and sunflower seeds
• 50 g raisins
• 50 g chopped seedless dates (without syrup)
• 30 g linseed
• 1  1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons orange zest
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 80 ml pure honey or maple syrup

METHOD

• Preheat the oven to 160ºC
• In a large bowl, mix the oats,almonds, coconut,seeds,cinnamon,orange zest & oil.
• Stir until completely mixed.
• Place the mixture on a baking tray covered with non-stick baking paper and spread evenly across the whole surface. If you want to double the quantity, it is better to bake in two batches.
• Pour the honey and syrup over and stir with a spatula. If you want sweeter and more compact granola, add more honey.

• Place the tray in the oven and bake for 25 minutes.

• For completely crunchy and evenly baked granola, it is important to stir it every 5 minutes.

• 10 minutes before the granola is ready, add the raisins and dates (their high sugar content means they burn easily and need less time in the oven).

• Take the tray out of the oven, allow the granola to cool and then store it in sealed containers.

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