Saturday Morning Granola

I write this post cautiously, as I realize the reputation granola has in the world. I also realize that it's already stereotypical for me to move to California and become vegetarian, let alone a vegetarian who makes his own granola. Listen, granola is awesome. This recipe I'm about to share with you is one of the best discoveries I've made in a while, seriously. Unlike Ina Garten's recipe which calls for 3/4 cups of oil, mine calls for none. So I am completely justified in adding chocolate chips to mine.


Why do I really like this granola? Because it has two secret ingredients that are kind of amazing for you. The first is agave nectar, which is a natural sweetener. Most recipes call for brown sugar or maple syrup, which although cheaper, are going to spike your blood sugar more than the agave nectar. The second ingredient is ground flax seeds. Flax seed is just amazing stuff. To make it I bought a bunch of flax seeds and pulsed in the food processor for about 10 minutes.

Granola

• 4 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup walnuts
• 1/4 cup ground flax seed
• 1/3 cup almonds
• 1/2 cup pecans
• 1/2 cup cashews
• 1/3 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips
• 3 tbs cinnamon
• 1 cup agave necture
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tbs vanilla

1. Preheat your oven to 300 f.
2. Add walnuts to food processor, and process until fine.  Add one cup of the rolled oats, and pulse until the oats are just chopped.  Pour into a large bowl, add remaining three cups of oats.
3. Add almonds to the food processor.  Pulse to chop slightly.  Add pecans, cashews, and pumpkin seeds, pulse to chop slightly.
4. Add chopped nuts to oats.  Add cinnamon and toss to combine.
5. In small saucepan over medium low heat combine the agave nectar and water.  Warm just so the two combine.  Add vanilla and slowly pour contents over oats and nut mixture, stopped twice to stir oats.
6. Spread mixture over a large baking sheet and put in oven for 40 minutes, stirring 3 times during cooking time.
7. Remove from oven and cool completely.  Toss in chocolate chips and move to airtight container.  

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