Healthy Breakfast: Homemade Granola

Photo Credit: http://www.foodnetwork.com/

Granola, so often touted as GREAT for you, is often full of preservatives, extra corn syrups, and stuff that you just don't need.  It's super easy to make at home and you can get away with just a bit of sugar to add sweetness and plenty of dried fruits and nuts for vitamins and protein to make it super filling for your and your kids.  Think of homemade granola as a template- you can use the kinds of fruits, nuts, and grains that your family likes best.  Just try not to up the sugar content, when you serve it with milk, yogurt, or even as a snack, it has plenty of sweetness!  Enjoy!


Pistachio & Apricot Granola
Makes about 5 cups
Adapted from Everyday Food

-3 Cups rolled oats (not the quick cook kind, or you will have a soppy mess on your hands)
-1 Cup unsalted, shelled pistachios
-1/4 Cup of unsalted butter, cut into very small pieces
-1/2 Cup honey
-1 tsp ground cardamom or cinnamon
-1/2 tsp coarse salt ( i often use kosher salt)
-1 Cup of dried apricots, diced medium (or figs, dates, cherries, whatever you prefer)

Preheat oven to 300.  In a large bowl, combine oats and pistachios.  In a small pan, combine butter, honey, salt and cardamom over medium to low heat.  Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to melt butter and combine the ingredients.  Pour mixture over the oat mixture and toss until well combined.  Transfer to a parchment lined cookie sheet and spread out evenly.  Bake until the mixture is lightly golden brown, about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.  Cool completely break up large pieces, and toss with apricots.  Store in airtight containers for up to 3 weeks and enjoy