I love granola cereal. I would appreciate any granola recipes that have a hard, crunchy, consistancy. Hope you can help me out, thanks. Also, I really enjoy the forum. Thats why I got the internet, just to get on this forum. When I get free time, this is the place I head to. You all are a great bunch.

-- Judy Livengood (allsmile@ctnet.net), October 08, 2000

Answers

Almond Crunch Granola...

3c uncooked, old-fashioned, rolled oats

1 1/2c dry coconut, (opt.)

1/2c wheat germ or soy grits

1c sunflower seeds

1/4c sesame seeds

1/2c honey

1/4c oil

1/2c cold water

1c slivered, blanched almonds

1.2c raisins or other dried fruit

In large mixing bowl, combine oats, coconut(very optional), wheat germ, sunnies and sesame seeds. Toss thoroughly.

Combine honey and oil, add to dry, stirring til well-mixed. Add cold water at little at a time, mix til crumbly.

Pour into large, heavy, shallow baking pan which has been lightly brushed with oil. Spread mxture evenly to edges.

Place on middle rack of preheated oven-225 for 1 1/2 hour stirring every 15 min. Add one c slivered almonds and bake for 1/2 hour more or til mixture is thoroughly dry and light brown in color. Cereal should feel crisp to the touch.

Turn oven off and allow ceral to cool in oven. If raisins are to be added, do so now.

Remove cereal cool and put in tightly covered container. makes 8c.

I usually make a double batch. It's good with yogurt or milk. Enjoy!

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), October 08, 2000.

Judy, I'm thinking about replacing the honey with real maple syrup. And using dried blueberries instead of raisins. Dried strawberries would be really, but they're too good right out of the jar. Dried bananas along with the raising sounds good.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), October 10, 2000.

World's Best Granola

DRY MIXTURE 8 cups rolled oats (not instant) 2 cups raw sunflower seeds 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds 2 cups wheat germ 1/2 cup raw sesame seeds 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 cup salted peanuts 1 cup raisins

WET MIXTURE 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons water 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/4 cup honey 1/2 cup molasses 1 cup brown sugar

Preheat oven to 300 F. Lightly oil 2 large glass baking dishes (about 10"x16") Mix oats, seeds, wheat germ and cinnamon in a large bowl (dry mixture). (Peanuts and raisins can be added after baking.) Bring water to a boil then mix in salt, honey, molasses, brown sugar, and oil. Bring to a simmer. Immediately pour the wet mixture in a stream over the dry mixture, tossing it until it mixes evenly. Rub with hands for a minute or so if desired to mix even better.

Place mixture in the baking dishes. Bake 15 minutes then stir. Bake another 15 minutes and stir. Bake ten more minutes and turn off oven. Do not open oven until granola is cool (an hour or two). This ensures extra crispness. Baking time may be increased, depending on taste and depth of baking dish (deeper dishes require more time in oven). Best to err on the side of safety and not burn the granola; if needed, add 10-15 minutes extra baking time. Just be sure to let it cool in the oven, for CRUNCHINESS!

Mix peanuts and raisins in at the end if desired.

Stores well in large baggies. Compares with granola sold in health food stores for $5 per pound!

-- peter tocco (lifelike3d@home.com), June 03, 2001.

Judy the crunch in your granola comes from baking it slowly. The sugar/honey/brown sugar whatever you choose to use carmelizes on the grains and seeds. The higher the temp the more it carmelizes. Like putting sugar in a pan on the stove to boiling, boil it long enough it makes a wonderful carmel all on its own. Same premise for your granola. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), June 04, 2001.