Donna’s Gluten Free 5 Grain Ginger Granola

Dear Culinary Companions, this recipe is one that I have been tweaking for months and finally think that I have a very good master recipe to share with you.  This granola is crunchy and full of healthy grains, nuts and fruits and is delicious with yogurt or as a snack on its own.  The origins of this recipe lie with another recipe I found by Lauren Singer that I adapted for the microwave, included more grains and added dried fruit and candied ginger.  I hope that you try this - we can't stop eating it!  Best, Donna:

Donna’s Gluten Free 5 Grain Ginger Granola

Inspired by Brown Sugar Winter Spice Granola - Lauren Singer:

http://www.trashisfortossers.com/2013/08/summer-granola-winter-spices.html

Ingredients:

1½ cups brown sugar

1/3 cup water

1/3 cup coconut oil

¼ cup maple syrup

1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

4 cups oats:  Choose rolled, quick-cooking or steel cut, or mixture of these

4 Tablespoons grains:  Either 1 Tablespoon of each, or your desired mix – Amaranth, Chia, Millet, Quinoa (red or white)

1½ cups sliced almonds (or other nuts) or unsweetened flaked coconut, or mixture

1½ cups seeds:  Choose sunflower or pumpkin, or mixture

1 Tablespoon cinnamon

¾ teaspoon salt

1 cup dried fruit:  Choose blueberries, cherries, cranberries, raisins, etc. or mixture

¼ cup candied ginger, chopped

Method:

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.  Cover a large baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking oil.

Mix together brown sugar and water in 1 quart glass measuring cup and microwave on High for 3 minutes.  Carefully remove from oven as it will be hot, and allow to cool.  Stir to dissolve any remaining sugar granules, add the coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla and set aside.

Mix together the remaining ingredients except dried fruit and ginger in a large bowl.  Mix in sugar mixture and transfer to baking sheet.  Bake for 2 hours, stirring after 1 hour to break granola up into chunks.  After 2 hours, turn off oven and leave granola inside until completely cool to make it extra crunchy.

Once granola is completely cool, stir in dried fruit and ginger, and place into 2 quart container with tight seal.

Makes 2 quarts.

Copyright 2015.