Recipe Redux: Good for You Granola

22 Jan Recipe Redux: Good for You Granola

Good for You Cherry Almond Granola

Resolving to cut fat and calories in the coming year is a smart strategy for heading into a happy healthy new year.  This month’s Recipe Redux: Good for You Cherry Almond Granola, a classic recipe that hit the chopping block and got leaner in fat and lower in calories than its classic version, will be a great way to start your day (and year!)  off right.

Full of fiber, packed with protein, and boasting a bevy of disease-fighting properties, Good for You Cherry Almond Granola is a delicious and nutritious way to jump start your metabolism and your morning.

Bring the syrup to a boil.

Stir in the syrup and mix up the granola.

 Two: Stir together the granola,

Bake granola until golden brown.

and Three: Bake until golden brown,

you won’t believe how effortlessly this Good for You Granola comes together.

Cherry Almond Granola right out of the oven.

The heavenly aroma of almond extract, cinnamon, oats and almonds baking in the oven will bring your family running, and you’ll feel good serving up a breakfast that’s not only good, but good for you as well.

Bake up a batch of Good for You Cherry Almond Granola today. You and your body will be glad you did!

Healthy highlights of this month’s Recipe Redux: Good for You Cherry Almond Granola  include:

• Flax seed- Shown in some studies to prevent heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes, flax seed is a good source of omega-3 essential fatty acids and fiber.
• Oats- A great source of soluble fiber, oats are a healthy carbohydrate and have been shown to lower bad cholesterol in the body.
• Canola oil- A heart-healthy oil, canola oil is low in saturated fat.
• Cinnamon- This superfood spice can lower the rise in blood sugar levels in the body, lower the risk of heart disease and act to inhibit bacteria growth in foods.
• Almonds- Almonds pack a protein punch, can lower bad cholesterol and may lessen the risk of heart disease.
• Dried Cherries- Rich in vitamin A and C, dried cherries are a lowfat food that is anti-oxidant rich and disease-fighting.

Recipe development and food photography by Sydne George.

Recipe Redux: Good for You Cherry Almond Granola

                (makes about 5 cups granola)

1 tbsp. canola oil

½ cup maple syrup

¼ cup canola oil

¼ cup brown sugar (packed)

1 tbsp. ground cinnamon

¼ tsp. salt

1 tsp. almond extract

3 cups rolled oats

½ cup sliced almonds

½ cup flax seed

½ cup dried cherries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Brush rimmed baking sheet with canola oil.

In medium saucepan, whisk together maple syrup, canola oil, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and add almond extract. Stir to combine.

In a large mixing bowl, stir together oats, almonds and flax seed. Pour syrup over and stir to combine.

Bake in preheated oven 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden brown. Watch carefully after 15 minutes to make sure it does not burn. Stir in dried cherries and let cool completely.

(May be made ahead and stored in air tight container for up to two weeks.)

Enjoy!

Sydne George is a food journalist specializing in recipe development, food writing and food photography. She can be reached at sydnegeorge@hotmail.com . Sydne’s recipes from “Recipe Redux: Still Delicious, Now More Nutritious” are archived at http://sydnegeorge.com/blog/.