My very good friend Amber is an inspiration for me on so many levels – with the love she has for her family and her sweet son, with her abundant source of creativity and inventiveness, with her dedication to health and helping other people feel the very best they can feel with her personal training business Happy Human, with her honesty and compassion and being the the most amazing friend. Thank goodness for friendships that cross oceans (and email and Skype!), because I don’t think I could have left America otherwise.
When it comes to fitness or baking or knitting or cooking or crafts or gardening (or just about anything else…), I wish I could cross the ocean and plop down on her sofa for a nice conversation. I’ve been meaning to give a try at making granola for ages now, and finally gathered up most of the ingredients I could find in Amalfi this weekend. After poking around on the internet for recipes, all of which were too complicated and included ingredients nearly impossible to find on the Amalfi Coast, I had a flash. With a quick search in my email I had it – Amber’s granola recipe! I still had to make some modifications since I didn’t have maple syrup or bran, but it was easily modified and was the perfect base for inspiration. Amber brings creativity to everything she does, which is just one of the many lessons I’ve learned from her over the years.
What do you like to put in your granola?Homemade Granola
Ingredients
3 cups oats (I used quick cook as they were the only kind in Amalfi – old-fashioned rolled oats would be better)
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup honey
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil (I used sunflower seed oil)
Few dashes of cinnamon
Tiny pinch of salt (optional)
1/2 cup raisins (or other dried fruit)
Ready to mix all the granola ingredients together1. Mix all ingredients together except the raisins or dried fruit.
Spreading out the granola on a baking pan – ready for the oven!2. Spread out on baking pan and bake in preheated oven at 300 F/ 150 C for about 30-35 minutes, mixing and turning over about every 10-15 minutes. You want the granola to bake evenly, but not burn. The house will smell heavenly!
Mixing raisins into the granola after cooling. Look at the lovely golden color!3. Let cool and mix in raisins or dried fruit if desired. After cooling completely store in airtight container.
Note: This made one large jar of granola when finished. Since it was my first try I didn’t want to waste the precious oats (yes, they’re expensive in Amalfi!) and just made a small batch.
Looking forward to breakfast tomorrow already!One of the best things about granola is how flexible you can be with the recipe. I happened to have some molasses sitting around that needed to be used. But if you don’t have that handy, replace it with maple syrup (like Amber makes it) or use more honey. Add more nuts like sunflower seeds, sesame seeds or cashews, add other spices that you like or leave out the cinnamon if you don’t care for it, add wheat germ or flax seeds … whatever you like! Keep a note of what worked and didn’t work so you’ll remember next time. Since I used quick cook oats, I think I’ll need to experiment a bit more to make a clumpier granola. Thanks for the inspiration, Amber!
If you have any granola making tips or favorite ingredients, I’d love to hear!
I cannot believe I’ve never made homemade granola! I need to do this.
I couldn’t believe that I had never made it either! It’s really easy to make, and I’m looking forward to all kinds of different varieties. Have fun!
Laura, Thanks so much for the kind words. I love that you made this granola in Italy! Really I have to give full credit for the recipe to my dad, Dave. He is the master granola baker. I just tried molasses too and I think I might like it even better than syrup (don’t tell my dad)! In the middle of the winter I add ginger and sometimes cardamon. It is a truly flexible recipe!
I am experimenting with adding more liquid to make a clumpier granola. I actually added about at least half a cup of water last time. I used it to rinse out the molasses/honey measuring cup and it seemed to make the granola more clumpy.
You’re so very welcome, Amber! Please say thanks to your dad for the recipe. I won’t tell him you like it better with molasses than syrup! But, truth be told, your family’s syrup is almost too good to mix in with anything. It’s just divine on its own! Love the idea of ginger, and I bought cardamon in Paris, too. I want mine to be more clumpy next time, and I’m intrigued by this recipe that include applesauce: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2009/10/granola-recipe/ That might be a great addition! I love making applesauce during the fall and winter, and I usually have it around. It’ll be a little while before it’s apple season on the Amalfi Coast, but if you give the applesauce a try I would definitely love to hear how it comes out! In the meantime, I’ll add a bit of water like you mentioned for the next batch. I think I’ll be doing this frequently from now on!
Thanks for the great recipe inspiration! I made it today & added coconut, dried cranberries, & goji berries. Looks amazing! So excited to have with my yoghurt and fruit in the morning. Wish I was having it in Amalfi. Ciao! Will post a picture on my Facebook page.
Thanks for your comment, Donna! I have some dried cranberries, but wanted to give the recipe a try first before I put them in since they’re so hard to find here. Love the idea of coconut and will definitely try to find some of that to add one of these times. Thanks!
I think I can use GF oats and make this for myself…great recipe and thanks Amber and Laura! Will taste great in yogurt!!
Fabulous idea, Mom! Let me know how it turns out. 🙂
How an earth would we have survived moving countries in earlier generations Laura! 🙂
I don’t know, Linda! It sure would have been lonely without all the communication options we have today. I’m grateful for that every day!
This looks so easy to do! I’m definitely going to do this since granola is a perfect match to frozen yogurt! Thanks!
Enjoy Beatrice! I’ve been modifying it each time I make it and having a lot of fun. Be creative and make it just how you like granola! 🙂