Chewy Granola Bars

This recipe hits it out of the park....When enjoying these, I have to remind myself that they are healthy!  Truly a treat and an indulgent one at that!!!!

THIS RECIPE AGAIN PROOVES THAT HEALTHY CAN BE VERY YUMMY!!!! 


I chose to use my homemade granola in place of the nut mixture to incorporate the crispiness of the baked granola.  Also I used olive oil in this recipe because I find coconut oil to be a strong flavor.  I am thrilled however to have finally found a granola recipe that pleases my man clan. 

Combine in small sauce pan. Heat until pourable. Do not boil.
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup olive oil
2/3 cup local honey
1 cup natural peanut butter or almond butter


Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.
2 cups quick oats
1 cup (total) of your choice sunflower seeds, flax seeds, dried fruit bits, carob chips
(I use 1 cup of my homemade granola)
1 cup organic brown rice cereal crisps
(Erewhon Organic Crispy Brown Rice found in organic food section at Walmart)
1/8 -1/4 cup carob chips (optional)


Pour honey, oil and PB mixture over oat mixture and combine well...refrain from eating it by the spoonful warm...Soooo delic!  The best decription yet is..."it is like the combination of a peanut butter rice crispy treat and a granola bar."
My inspiration for this recipe came from Laura at Heavenly Homemakers....

Granola

My Aunt's Aunt Susan and I have bonded via Facebook and a few weeks ago she sent me "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution"!  Love, love, love his style and these recipes.  He is all about fresh, healthy cooking here.

The family recipe always delicious, but since I rarely had bran or other of the ambiguous ingredients on hand....I always had an excuse for not making it.  Excuses no more.

So, his recipe combined with my Grandmother's has proved to be a smashing success! That is why my granola jar is nearing the E mark again two weeks in a row.

His recipe is a reminder that making granola is more like flower arranging than an exact science....its about mixing textures and flavors that please you more than it is about following a recipe exactly. His recipe also assured me that using olive oil for granola is fine and the outcome was delicious!

So below is my version!  Hope you enjoy this as your wellness dining treat!  This stuff is great morning night or noon!  Eat it alone.  Eat it over oatmeal waffles or pancakes with a dollop of  home-flavored vanilla yogurt.

8 cups Old Fashioned Oats
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup pecans/ almonds/ walnuts..chopped (total nuts abt. 2-3 cups)
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup flax seeds
4 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp salt

Chop and combine nuts in a large bowl.

Add oats.

Add cinnamon and salt.

Heat/do not boil ( a minute or so in micro or on stove top):
3/4 cups olive oil
3/4 - 1 cup honey
1 TBS Vanilla

Pour over oat mixture coating well.

Bake @ 325 for about 20 - 30 minutes stirring every 10 minutes or so...until lightly browned.  Please set your timer....it is a very sad thing to burn a batch of granola:-/

After browned transfer to large bowl to cool.

Add 1 cup raisins or other dried fruits after finished cooling.
Option: date pieces, papaya, raisins (total fruit about 1 1/2 - 2 cups)

Your kitchen will smell wonderful!!!  

Such a feeling of satisfaction to place the refilled jar back into the cabinet....knowing the family will be delighted to eat such a fine treat!

Granola Recipe

8 cups Old Fashioned Oats
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup pecans/ almonds/ walnuts..chopped (total nuts abt. 2-3 cups)
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup flax seeds
4 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp salt
Heat/do not boil ( a minute or so in micro or on stove top):
3/4 cups olive oil
3/4 - 1 cup honey
1 TBS Vanilla
 Bake.
Add 1 cup raisins or other dried fruits after finished cooling.
Option: date pieces, papaya, raisins (total fruit about 1 1/2 - 2 cups)

Oatmeal Waffles

2 eggs
2 cups oatmeal flour *
1/2 cup canola** (if avoiding canola, and want a more natural option, 1/2 cup melted butter works well!)
1 3/4 cup milk (if trying to avoid dairy...often the body is able to digest yogurt or keifer)
4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

Heat waffle iron. Combine dry ingredients. Add the eggs, milk and oil. Mix well to batter consistency and smooth. Pour batter from cup or pitcher onto center of hot waffle iron. Bake about 5 minutes or until steaming stops.

*if wondering what oat flour is and where you can get it...........I use quick oats and grind them in a food processor or blender. I used to grind it each time I needed it for a recipe...now I just grind a canister full at a time. It is handy to have it ready when I need it!

**(when using 100% oat flour in order to keep the waffles from sticking to the waffle iron it is important to spray the waffle iron or baste it with butter. There is nothing much more frustrating than waffles sticking to the iron when children and hungry man awaits their waffles!!!)

Hearty Oatmeal Pancakes

I attribute using a lot of oatmeal in my diet to my weight loss. The complex carbohydrates keep one feeling full longer and also do not spike the blood sugar like white, refined, processed foods. I encourage you to try these. I will tell you before you make them. They are much more hearty than typical "American" pancakes; not at all like the "float away--light and fluffy biscuick type". These truly have substance.

Oatmeal Pancakes

1 cup oatmeal flour
1 TBS Baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 - 1 tsp cinnamon
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
2 TBS canola oil
See below for other variations.

Combine dry ingredients. Add the oil, milk and eggs. Beat until smooth. For thinner pancakes add 1-2 TBS more milk.

Heat griddle or skillet over medium heat or to 375. If necessary, use a little oil on skillet or griddle. (I usually do not since I use a nonstick griddle.)

For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup batter onto griddle. Cook until puffed and dry around the edges. Turn and cook other sides until golden brown.

Sweet Potato Oatmeal Pancakes
1/2 cup pureed sweet potato (cook sweet potato in microwave for about 5-10 minutes)
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice