Late Entry- EARTHBOUND CHILD! SNN: Granola

This week`s theme is "Earthbound Child" because I wanted to take a stab at vegan cooking.  I NEVER desire to live this lifestyle because I feel pretty strongly about the importance of dairy and eggs in the diet, but I wanted to try a few recipes purely as a challenge.  Veganism requires that no animal-derived products are used in any area of the cooking process of their food.  This does not just include meats, dairy products, and eggs, but also those that come from animals that are used for various reasons in processed foods: casein (a milk protein found in many breads), non-kosher gelatin (found in pig feet), etc.  The Sunday Night Nosh this week is my granola recipe!  Which is questionably vegan. The only thing that may raise question is honey!  Due to the fact that the honey bee is a living creature, vegans may not be in favor of this.  If that`s the case, the agave nectar can just be doubled and the honey omitted! =)

Granola

4 c quick-cooking oats

1 c wheat germ

1/2 c salted sunflower seeds

1 c almonds

1 c cashew halves

1 c raisins

1 c dried apricots

1/2 c brown sugar

1/3 c agave nectar

1/3 c honey

1/3 c light pancake syrup

2/3 c canola oil

1 T cinnamon

1/2 T vanilla

1/2 t nutmeg

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with foil.  Spray generously with PAM cooking spray.

Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl.  In a saucepan, heat sugar, agave, honey, syrup, canola oil, spices, and vanilla.

Bring to a boil and pour over oat mixture.

Toss and fold until mixture has been completely covered in the hot syrup.

Spread on prepared baking sheet.  Bake for 10-12 minutes.  Stir.  Bake for another 10-12 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool.  Lastly, add raisins and apricots and toss to combine.  Store in tupperware or zip-lock bags. (Yields about 20 servings)

Add-ins prior to baking:

Any type of nut or seed

Flavored pancake syrups (such as blueberry or raspberry)

Add-ins after baking and cooling:

dark chocolate pieces

M & M`s

coconut



Per serving (based on entire recipe split by 20)...
Calories? 312
Protein? 7 g
Saturated Fat? 1.9 g
Carbohydrates? 34 g (2 carb servings)
Fiber? 4 g
Sodium? 92 mg
Cholesterol? 0 mg