My mom is one of the most beautiful women I know. Beyond her beauty though is a woman who knows how to work. She’s always moving, creating and inspiring. She’s an educated artist, a mother of nine, a teacher, an industrious woman who knows how to grow fields of wheat, make quilts and knit funny slippers for all her grand-kids. She taught me how to cook and gave me my love of vegetables. Even in Elementary School I loved spinach when all the other kids hated it.
She’s been sharing some recipes with me that lately I thought you might enjoy. This granola is really special, it is packed with nuts and seeds and is chock full of goodness! It makes for an amazing breakfast start or as a “broken cookie” snack right out of the jar.
Mom’s 9 Grain Granola
- 2.5 C. rolled 9 grain cereal (or rolled oats if you can’t find it)
- 1/4 C. wheat germ
- 1/4 C. flax seed meal
- 2 C. shaved coconut (not the itty bitty pieces)
- 2 T. quinoa
- 2 T. millet
- 1/2 C. sunflower seeds
- 1/2 C. raw cashews
- 1/4 C. sesame seeds
- 1/2 C. pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 C. sliced almonds
- 1/2 C. pecans
- 1/2 C. walnuts
- 1/2 C. water
- 1/2 C. raw sugar
- 2 T. agave (vegan version, mom uses honey)
- 2 T. pure maple syrup or unsulphered molasses
- 1 T. mexican vanilla
- 1/4 C. coconut oil
- 1 t. sea sat
- 1/4 t. nutmeg
- 1/2 t. cinnamon
Method: Preheat your oven to 300 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the 1st 13 ingredients (9 grain cereal through to walnuts) and set aside. Combine the last 9 ingredients (water through to cinnamon) a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat on the stove top just until sugar has dissolved. Pour the liquid mixture over the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until everything is well coated. Pour the mixture onto your largest rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven, let granola cool completely on the baking sheet. Once cooled break into big pieces and store in glass jars (This nearly fills 3 quart sized jars).
Serve with non-dairy milk (mom says cow’s milk smells just like cow’s breath). Sliced fresh, frozen or dried fruit is also a nice addition.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. I’ll be celebrating the Holidays with my parents at their home in the woods and taking a little blogging break. I’ll touch base with you in a week or so. -Love, Somer