Editor's Note: Build a better breakfast cereal, liven up yogurt or pack it in a bag for a tote-along snack — this versatile and healthy granola is packed with nutty protein, fiber from rolled oats, very berry antioxidants and healthy fats from flax. And who doesn't love granola's satisfying crunch? Kids can help pour in and mix the ingredients.
PCC Natural Markets offers cooking classes for kids of all ages through their PCC Cooks classroom program. Visit pcccooks.com for a schedule of upcoming classes. Kids' classes can be found here.
Great Granola
Makes 8 servings
4 cups raw rolled oats
1/3 to 1/2 cup ground flaxseed and/or chopped nuts or seeds (try cashews, walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds)
2 to 3 tablespoons safflower oil
1 tablespoon dry sweetener (brown or unrefined sugar)
4 tablespoons liquid sweetener (maple syrup, honey, rice syrup or molasses)
1 cup dried fruit (try raisins, blueberries, cranberries, bananas, dates or papaya)
1 cup dried apples, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
Preheat oven to 350º F.
Mix all the ingredients except the dried fruit in a large bowl.
Spread evenly in a shallow baking pan lined with parchment paper and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven, stir and bake another 10 to 15 minutes until golden.
Remove and mix in dried fruit. Cool and store in a covered container.
Recipe adapted by Marie Donadio, PCC Cooks instructor.
