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{Recipe: Homemade Granola}

I’ve been nibbling on homemade granola all week.  Funnily enough, I didn’t make it for myself.  I’m not much of a breakfast person, but Eric has been on a granola and yogurt kick the last few weeks.  On our trips to the grocery store, I’d meander through the aisles as he intensely searched the ingredient list of every box of granola. To be honest, I have no idea what he was looking for.  But it got me thinking, “Why the heck are we buying this stuff when it’s so easy to make at home?”

There are few foods that I just don’t get.  Very few foods, in fact.  But cold cereal, something most of my family enjoys, is one of them.  As a child, I would shovel down those bland Os and some milk, just to get some food in my body before school.  In my teenage years, however, I switched to yogurt or a piece of fruit or I wouldn’t have anything.  Cereal just doesn’t make a meal, in my view.  And I pretty much stopped eating breakfast since then (with the exception of weekend scones)

But thanks to my granola-loving husband, I am hooked.  There are delicate flavors and textures.  Crunches and chews. Toasted nuts and sweetened cranberries.  And coconut.  I can get behind anything that has shredded coconut and having it in my breakfast makes each morning all the more pleasant.

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Julia @ The Roasted RootJanuary 25, 2012 - 12:27 am

Looks delicious! Have you been able to get your granola to clump up in clusters the way you see in store-bought granola? I’ve tried a couple of times, and my clusters are small, few and far between. Let me know if you have any advice! Thanks for the great recipe!

MaureenJanuary 25, 2012 - 6:31 am

I watched Ina Garten make this on her show once and said, “gosh that looks good, I’ll have to make it.” and that’s as far it went. I’m so glad you tried her recipe but now I have no excuse. :)

Ronald HilbinkJanuary 25, 2012 - 7:42 am

Brian:

I have been a fan of granola with yogurt for many years. It is my jump start to my day.
Tom makes granola regularly and I have the good fortune of getting the benefits of his work. However, now you have inspired me to make my own.

Andrew FrishmanJanuary 25, 2012 - 7:45 am

Mnnnn. . . I LOVES me some granola, especially when it’s crunchy.

No son la Birkenstocks que transfromen una persona en hippie.

Lauren @ Healthy Food For LivingJanuary 25, 2012 - 7:55 am

I’m totally on board with homemade granola! There are so many delicious permutations in terms of ingredient add-ins, and – as you pointed out – there are myriad ways to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Just like your husband, my breakfast routine has rubbed off on my hubs, whose morning meal used to consist merely of a huge cup of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee. Now he makes oatmeal most mornings. I bet he’d love this granola as well!

Ken┃hungry rabbitJanuary 25, 2012 - 8:23 am

I’m with you on breakfast. Never been a big breakfast as a child, but now, the possibility are endless. This granola looks and reads like a winner.

joanneJanuary 25, 2012 - 8:26 am

I’ve never really gotten on the granola bandwagon…probably because of all the sugar it’s stuffed with and how expensive it is. Brian to the rescue, of course!

MariaJanuary 25, 2012 - 8:38 am

I might have to skip my morning oatmeal to have this granola instead. Looks incredible!

heatherJanuary 25, 2012 - 9:04 am

Love the style of the second photo. I don’t know what it is about granola shots like that, but I have a zillion in my files. Every batch looks similar and yet so different. It’s kind of mesmerizing to me. I actually just baked up a batch of my tweaked version of Molly Wizenberg’s French chocolate granola, using pecans and olive oil, then spicing it up with some cardamom, ginger and mahlab. Quite good! Your sunflower seed addition is something I like to do as well.

Cheers,

*Heather*

Chef DennisJanuary 25, 2012 - 9:52 am

I can’t believe I have never made granola….this recipe is just too easy and your images make it look just too delicious, not to give it a try…I even have everything on hand!

Thanks for the inspiration Brian!

Kiri W.January 25, 2012 - 9:58 am

Looks fantastic! I love the coconut in this, mmmm :) Looks healthy and delicious, and your pictures are so stunning!

Christina of Form V ArtisanJanuary 25, 2012 - 10:07 am

I can eat fist fulls of granola. People have been known to call me the muesli queen….but let’s not spread that around.

x

GeorgieJanuary 25, 2012 - 10:30 am

I could eat this for breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Jennifer | Mother ThymeJanuary 25, 2012 - 11:32 am

I love homemade granola. There is nothing better than to enjoy a handful after whipping up a fresh batch. I always have a stash made in the pantry. I love your suggestion to adding it to pancake batter.

ElianaJanuary 25, 2012 - 11:42 am

Looks picture perfect Brian (as with everything else you do).

Rachel @ Baked by RachelJanuary 25, 2012 - 12:38 pm

I should really make this! I bet I could even convince my girls to try it.

Barbara | Creative CulinaryJanuary 25, 2012 - 2:21 pm

I started on the homemade granola thing last year. I had never liked granola from the grocery so it just wasn’t in my mind to ever have it or make it and I’m not even sure now why I was inspired. But am so glad I was. Take the basics of oatmeal and some oil and it opens the world of choices to you. I now peruse the bins of seeds and nuts much more carefully when I’m at Sunflower market and it’s all for my granola!

A morning without honey yogurt topped with granola is almost harder to bear now than one without coffee. It’s true!

MeetaJanuary 25, 2012 - 3:53 pm

Oh we love our homemade granola here always have. I make granola on a regular basis and this reminds me I have one in my folders that needs to be posted. Homemade granola became even more important to me once Soeren starting Kindergarten and making low in sugar granola was the perfect quick breakfast for him. We have created a few pretty cool flavors in the past. This one sounds delicious!

VijithaJanuary 25, 2012 - 4:14 pm

That looks fantastic. I have been making granolas the South beach way and I even add some dried berries and as you said we can use them in anything and everything. I like mine with yogurt and strawberries

KankanaJanuary 25, 2012 - 5:04 pm

I am not a breakfast person at all but i like eating beakfast-y food for dinner . Egg, bread, pancakes and granola too! I never made it at home but may be I should and the husband loves coconut.

sippitysupJanuary 25, 2012 - 8:34 pm

My new years resolution was more granola (and no lite beer). GREG

KimberleyJanuary 25, 2012 - 10:35 pm

I totally hear ya about cold cereal but I do love granola as a special treat! I’ve never made it myself, which is ridiculous. This recipe had better change that.

Brandon @ Kitchen KonfidenceJanuary 25, 2012 - 10:55 pm

I try to make olive oil granola once or twice a month – I agree with you on the cost effectiveness of making this at home. My version doesn’t have coconut, but I think I’m going to add some next time around.

kyleenJanuary 26, 2012 - 12:12 am

I’ve made this granola before and I love it. I was pretty surprised at how much granola it made too; there was so much that stirring it without getting it all over the place was nearly impossible!

Sylvie @ Gourmande in the KitchenJanuary 26, 2012 - 1:21 am

I’m such a granola lover, like your hubby I like to have mine with yogurt and a little fruit.

LirenJanuary 26, 2012 - 3:16 am

Oh, how we granola lovers can win you over! For years, granola and yogurt has been one of my favorite breakfasts (as well as mid-day and midnight snacks), but it’s only recently that I have converted the hubs. Now that he is on board the granola train, we go through bucketloads of the stuff! It’s time to make my own, too :)

MikeVFMKJanuary 26, 2012 - 11:53 am

Hey blog twin! Love the granola, and love the new look with your split images and text. Looks really good. I guess we’re both on the same granola bandwagon. Yours looks lovely!

PeggyJanuary 26, 2012 - 4:02 pm

I love your version of granola! Homemade is definitely where it’s at =)

Cucina49January 26, 2012 - 5:10 pm

That is some seriously great-looking granola–it inspires me to make my own, too. Homemade is always better than storebought in this case.

Lora @cakeduchessJanuary 26, 2012 - 5:33 pm

Granola is a favorite of mine for breakfast and as an evening snack. Yours looks delicious and the photos are wonderful:)

Rochelle (@AcquiredLife)January 27, 2012 - 6:06 am

Granola IS very easy to make, and it does make you wonder why we all don’t do it more often especially when you see ones that look like yours, Brian!

Andrea (questfordelish)January 27, 2012 - 12:28 pm

This granola looks so delish.

{Silent Sunday: 3 Little Figs}

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Lauren @ Healthy Food For LivingJanuary 22, 2012 - 6:32 am

I wish I had known about this adorable cafe (or that it had been there if it wasn’t yet) when I lived in Davis Square a few years ago. Looks like a place I would really love!

Katrina @ Warm Vanilla SugarJanuary 22, 2012 - 7:37 am

This place sounds lovely!

Lora @cakeduchessJanuary 22, 2012 - 9:29 am

I love the name and every thing they makes looks just lovely. Lucky you to be able to visit a sweet plasce like Three Little Figs for a sweet treat. ;)

foodwanderingsJanuary 22, 2012 - 10:06 am

Geez Brian, I got to wake up to this tortute. I wish to be transported to Three Little Figs for breaskfast/brunch this morning. Your reastaurant silent Sundays are so tempting that all is left for me is to move to Boston to explore it! :)

Lynn @ I'll Have What She's HavingJanuary 22, 2012 - 11:09 am

Those scones look so tempting right now!

Lisa { AuthenticSuburbanGourmet }January 22, 2012 - 12:48 pm

First, I love figs! So the idea that a cafe is named 3 Little Figs is wonderful. Looks like you had a wonderful meal. That BLT sounds amazing. Happy Sunday!!!

FlaviaJanuary 22, 2012 - 1:02 pm

Hi Brian, I thoroughly love all of your blog posts, but especially your Silent Sunday posts. It’s so enjoyable to see photographs of the local places you discover. Your photographs are wonderful as always.

BunkycooksJanuary 22, 2012 - 2:56 pm

I love finding little gems like this. I guess Sommerville is much niftier now than when I lived there 11 years ago! ;-)

BunkycooksJanuary 22, 2012 - 2:57 pm

I guess I should have said when I lived in Boston. I actually lived in Charlestown, which I adored!!

Emily @ Life on FoodJanuary 22, 2012 - 3:01 pm

It is so much more homey to know who made your food. Everything looks delicious. This is on my list for the next time I am in the Boston area!

MikeVFMKJanuary 22, 2012 - 5:20 pm

These are my favourite kinds of places. Run by family with great food. If I lived in the area I’d be dropping by for sure. Lovely pics!

WinnieJanuary 22, 2012 - 6:04 pm

Looks like a wonderful establishment and I’d kill for one of those BLTs right now ;)

Jeanne @ Cooksister!January 22, 2012 - 8:20 pm

Hah – cute name for a cafe! Nice shots – and I was about to ask what that giant chocolate canonball was when I read – chocolate ginger bomb. Holy molt!! Must have!

KristenJanuary 22, 2012 - 8:33 pm

Another beautiful place you’ve shared here. Wish I could visit them all!

Andrew FrishmanJanuary 22, 2012 - 11:18 pm

Mmnn!. . . I LOVES me some figs, especially when there’s a trifecta.

Me encanta la comida muy cerca de mi casa.

Alison @ Ingredients, Inc.January 23, 2012 - 8:14 am

what a great post! Awesome photography

TidyMomJanuary 23, 2012 - 9:49 am

oh wow!! makes me want to visit just to stop in there!!

ElizabethJanuary 23, 2012 - 10:08 am

Top 5 best places/best lunches ever? I think so :) Thanks so much for making the trip, I had so much fun!!

Rachel Leah BlumenthalJanuary 23, 2012 - 11:14 am

I was so thrilled when this opened up just five minutes from my apartment. Now I guess I can never move away! I love everything I’ve had there…and I’ve definitely had almost the entire menu. I can’t stay away. Lovely photos :)

naomiJanuary 23, 2012 - 12:10 pm

what a great little bakery! the baked goods looks wonderful and I love the name of the place.

i agree, love that welcoming feeling when you enter a place and everyone greets you.

have I mentioned that, I’m pretty sure you may need an assistant-i’m open to carry equipment just to travel with you to all these great little gems! seriously, you know I love these traveling posts you do.

kale @ tastes good to me!January 23, 2012 - 6:54 pm

The photos are so engaging! I’m a sucker for chalkboard menus.

Russell van KraayenburgJanuary 23, 2012 - 7:19 pm

I love that hand shot of yours, as always! And now I want to know what that massive ball of deliciousness is.

JoanneJanuary 24, 2012 - 8:06 am

I have bad somerville memories due to an evil ex-boyfriend who lives there..but I think it’s time I made new ones. that involve this cafe.

your photos are amazing, Brian!

ElianaJanuary 24, 2012 - 10:51 pm

This looks amazing Brian. You depicted it so beautifully in your photographs.

Jen LacedaJanuary 25, 2012 - 12:56 am

What a cute little place! Love that spinach pie, as I had made some spanakopita myself last week :)

Sweet FreakJanuary 25, 2012 - 11:36 am

Oh, how I wish I lived in Somerville!

Jen @ My Kitchen AddictionJanuary 25, 2012 - 2:45 pm

Lovely photos… And, looks like a great place!

{Recipe: Roasted Tri-Colored Cauliflower with Preserved Lemon}

Here’s an assignment for you: the next time you’re at the dinner table, take a look at your plate.  Now, how many colors do you see?  Points if it’s more than green and beige.  Believe me, I know it’s not easy.  I am constantly looking at that big pile of mush in my pan, wondering how to brighten it up.  Especially now, in the dead of winter, it seems like it’s harder than ever to get some color in our dishes.

But why is it so difficult?  Aren’t there fresh ingredients out there that can jazz up these vapid meals?

As a matter of fact, there are.  Case in point, cauliflower.  Now, I know some of you out there aren’t fans (I’ve seen the “I Hate Cauliflower” Facebook groups), but I think it’s time to give it another shot (I have to wonder if the naysayers out there have only had it boiled or steamed).  A big bowl of roasted cauliflower, particularly cauliflower that is bright green, purple, and orange, is one of those simple treats that should not be missed.

Not only is the stuff full of nutrients (high in Vitamin C) and is a great source of fiber (because we could all use more of that in our diet), but you get a wonderful nutty flavor when it is lightly roasted in the oven.  Texturally, the florets remain crunchy on the inside, but the outside is a bit tender, which is exactly how all vegetables should come out when they’re cooked.

Oh, yes… and the colors!  If you are looking for a way to liven up your plate, this will do the trick.  The folks at Colorful Harvest (as well as Paper Chef, the company that created the parchment paper used here), who were sweet enough to provide a massive quantity of cauliflower, are big proponents of chromatic diversity, and I think it’s something we should all strive for.

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KimberleyJanuary 18, 2012 - 1:42 am

Okay, so here’s the funny thing: I considered doing harissa *and* preserved lemons but thought that it might be too crazy flavor-wise for this mellow vegetable. This, though, I love. I don’t get people who don’t like cauliflower!

Em (Wine and Butter)January 18, 2012 - 2:03 am

I love roasted cauliflower – but I have never heard of these coloured varieties – how can this be!? I’m such a vegetable fiend!! Looks totally delicious though! :)

meg jones wallJanuary 18, 2012 - 3:27 am

yum. this recipe sounds delightfully simple and comforting, and i just love your photos!

sweetsugarbelleJanuary 18, 2012 - 4:10 am

Perfect timing! I don’t have all three colors, but now I have an idea of how to prepare it! Thank you!

Katrina @ Warm Vanilla SugarJanuary 18, 2012 - 6:53 am

This is absolutely beautiful!

Lauren @ Healthy Food For LivingJanuary 18, 2012 - 7:36 am

I am a huge fan of roasted cauliflower, and MUST get my hands on these gorgeously hued varieties!

Juls (Pepper and Sherry)January 18, 2012 - 7:41 am

I never even knew you could get different caulis! I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled at the next market and look around. Thank you for teaching me my new thing of the day!

zoeJanuary 18, 2012 - 8:10 am

i didn’t think i liked cauliflower until i tried it roasted recently. it really is delicious.
i’ve never seen purple or green cauliflower before! this dish looks amazing.

Kulsum@journeykitchenJanuary 18, 2012 - 8:11 am

Beautiful beautiful recipe and post Brian! I’m yet to try different colors of cauliflower but knowing my fascination of having color on my plate I’m going to search for them so badly!

JoanneJanuary 18, 2012 - 8:21 am

Well, I’m not sure that I really need more fiber in my diet…but I could always use more color and more cauliflower! This is such a pretty dish! And I’m sure the bright flavors from the preserved lemons make it utterly addictive and are so refreshing in the midst of all the heavy winter food we’re all eating.

and NOW I understand where yesterdays’ twitter convo came from. :P I’m a little slow sometimes. I thought you were just extolling the virtues of cauliflower for no particular reason.

Kiri W.January 18, 2012 - 9:04 am

Gorgeous! I love roasted cauliflower, and always adore the colored varieties, but the idea of adding a preserved lemon sounds wonderful and subtle yet striking.

MichelleJanuary 18, 2012 - 9:08 am

These cauliflower look gorgeous!

Marnely RodriguezJanuary 18, 2012 - 9:18 am

Definitely love the addition of preserved lemons in this!

Russell van KraayenburgJanuary 18, 2012 - 10:03 am

My gosh, the colors in this dish are gorgeous! And I like that copy posted with the photos. And a new look! I like that font.

p.s. You made the right choice writing out each cauliflower.

MikeVFMKJanuary 18, 2012 - 10:43 am

Beautiful, Brian! Cauliflower is the one vegetable that gets a bad knock but I truly enjoy. Love the colours and the new look of the blog!

GeorgieJanuary 18, 2012 - 11:10 am

It’s a brilliant layout! Reads like a cookbook – I really really like the new look. Of course I’m a huge fan of your photos, recipes and content – beautiful presentation!

VijithaJanuary 18, 2012 - 11:24 am

Roasted cauliflower with broccoli has become my staple food these days. Since it uses minimum oil and you get to eat crispy florets, I make this often. I squeeze little lemon juice on top and sprinkle garam masala before I serve. I have to try it with purple and yellow cauliflower soon. Looks so colorful. My son would love it.

Jeanne @ CookSister!January 18, 2012 - 11:35 am

Ooooh – pretty!! I love cauliflower but seldom see it in such rainbow shades! Just gorgeous. there is something special that roasting brings out in the flavour – once you’ve tasted it you’ll never go back to steamed or boiled :)

MaritJanuary 18, 2012 - 12:12 pm

Gorgeous post – thank you for your attention to beauty!

foodwanderingsJanuary 18, 2012 - 3:22 pm

Love the tricolor festive look, you would never think it’s winter! :) Love anything cauliflower and in fact made a jar of Meyer lemons Moroccan preserves few weeks back I can put to good use.

KristenJanuary 18, 2012 - 3:26 pm

I have never seen so many colors of cauliflower. We love cauliflower so you can bet I’ll be trying to find these in Kansas!

JuliaJanuary 18, 2012 - 4:07 pm

I sooooo appreciate that you bring recipes that add color and health to meals. I just listened to a mom tell me that her 3 yr old ONLY eats McDonalds ‘he’s just picky and it’s the only thing he likes.’ I almost DIED, right there, on the spot. But it makes me thankful for people like you, recipes like, that encourage people to add more color to their daily meals! That’s all, I just wanted to say ‘thank you, Brian.’

sippitysupJanuary 18, 2012 - 4:42 pm

Vibrancy equal delicious in this case. GREG

LibWPJanuary 18, 2012 - 7:39 pm

I want this NOW! I love cauliflower. Where can you find these colorful ones? Beautiful photo.

MaureenJanuary 18, 2012 - 8:39 pm

I’ve seen purple cauliflower once in Australia and never saw the orange or green colors. I’m going to have to go on a cauliflower search for such a gorgeous dish.

Lora @cakeduchessJanuary 18, 2012 - 9:12 pm

I’m a huge cauliflower fan and love this recipe. Now can you please send me some of these gorgeous cauliflowers you found, please?;)

chinmayie @ love food eatJanuary 19, 2012 - 5:30 am

I love cauliflower! boiled, steamed, baked, fried, mashed, curried, cooked or in any other possible form!! These colourful florets are so pretty :)

Sommer@ASpicyPerspectiveJanuary 19, 2012 - 8:56 am

Brian, what amazing colors! Now I’m on the hunt for colorful cauliflower.

AmyJanuary 19, 2012 - 10:43 am

I’m going to try this with my kids very soon. No warning just put it on their plate and see what they do. Should be a good conversation starter for dinner, don’t ya think?

naomiJanuary 19, 2012 - 11:19 am

Gorgeous!!! I love the tri-colored cauliflower. I have to find some now. Look you went and started us all on a food hunt! :)

DeannaJanuary 19, 2012 - 12:39 pm

I love cauliflower. The tricolor mix is such a shocking burst of color that is perfect for the dead of winter. I eat leftover roasted cauliflower cold from the fridge. I’m guessing cauliflower will have its moment this year. As much as I love brussels sprouts, they can’t be the trendy kid forever.

KelseyJanuary 19, 2012 - 1:19 pm

The purple makes me so, so happy.

Sneh | Cook RepublicJanuary 19, 2012 - 2:52 pm

Brian that is beauty in a plate. I adore this medley of colours on the black backdrop. Now I have to find coloured cauliflowers and give this a go!

Andrew FrishmanJanuary 20, 2012 - 12:00 am

Mnnn!. . . I LOVES me some cauliflower, especially when it’s tricolored.

la familia “brassica” es mi favorito.

Victoria (District Chocoholic)January 20, 2012 - 8:41 am

These look positively beautiful. Well done, Brian.

JoAnneJanuary 20, 2012 - 9:42 am

The colors are perfect for a Mardi Gras dinner!

alyce @ culinary thymesJanuary 20, 2012 - 3:28 pm

Roasted cauliflower is the best! I did one this week with cumin, cumin seed and coriander. Yours is so pretty.

Jen LacedaJanuary 21, 2012 - 8:03 am

what a great idea!!! i like cauliflower with breadcrumbs also!

Beth MichelleJanuary 21, 2012 - 10:00 am

I love the different color cauliflower. So beautiful.

MonetJanuary 21, 2012 - 10:03 am

Ah! Too good. Ryan and I adore cauliflower. We’ve been roasting it non-stop this year. I’m eager to try this more sophisticated rendering. Thank you for sharing sweet friend!

RickJanuary 21, 2012 - 11:10 am

Where does one find these colors? Where are they grown? Thxs.

The Healthy AppleJanuary 22, 2012 - 6:43 pm

I love cauliflower and make a very similar recipe every week. It’s amazing and I love the natural sweetness of the yellow and purple cauliflower.
Delish!

KitaJanuary 22, 2012 - 8:56 pm

I will admit, I am a member of the I hate Cilantro group (don’t ask), but cauliflower… oh my I can’t imagine not liking it. This beautiful tri colored cauliflower is going to have me on the lookout for some variation at my market. Thank you so much for the colorful inspiration this time of year.

Deeps @ Naughty CurryJanuary 24, 2012 - 2:12 am

beautiful! love those colours… i have only seen purpe & green cauliflower, dint know orange also exists! looks so cheerful

Sylvie @ Gourmande in the KitchenJanuary 24, 2012 - 5:06 pm

I love cauliflower, serve me up a bowl of these beauties any day!

ElianaJanuary 25, 2012 - 11:43 am

Veggies never looked so gorgeous. I can see myself wanting to enjoy this just about everyday.

Jen @ My Kitchen AddictionJanuary 25, 2012 - 1:38 pm

I happen to love cauliflower… I just love how it gets sort of sweet and nutty when it’s roasted. I think pairing it with preserved lemon is just brilliant, not to mention visually gorgeous in the photos!

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