Granola

Granola

Submitted by Jen P
(There are eight variations to the master recipe. You can double the recipe, just bake it in two pans. 1 ½ recipe works on a sheet pan.)
Master Granola Recipe (makes about 1 quart)
Adjust oven rack to middle position, and heat oven to 275°. Coat a 9x13 metal pan with cooking spray, then set aside. Mix oats, wheat germ, brown sugar, salt, and extra ingredients (except not dried fruit or anything that gets added after it's cool such as chocolate chips) in a bowl. Bring syrup, oil, water, and any flavoring indicated below to a simmer in a saucepan over low heat. Drizzle over oat mixture and stir to combine. Pour mixture onto prepared pan. Working a handful at a time, squeeze cereal to form small clumps. Bake for 30 minutes. Stir in dried fruit. Continue to bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes longer. Let cool. (Granola can be stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks.)
2 cups old-fashioned oats (don't use quick oats!)
1/2 cup wheat germ (store this in the fridge or better yet the freezer so it won't go rancid)
2 T. dark brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup extra ingredients (see complete list below)
1/4 cup maple syrup (or honey or molasses or a combination)
3 T. flavorless oil, such as vegetable or canola oil
1 T. water
flavoring (see below)
Granola Variations:
Classic Granola
Extra Ingredients: 1/3 c. chopped walnuts, 1/3 c. sweetened flake coconut, 1/3 cup dark or golden raisins
Flavoring: 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
You can replace the 1/4 c. maple syrup with 2 T. each of maple syrup and molasses.
Crunchy Granola
Extra Ingredients: 1/4 c. slivered almonds, 1/4 c. sunflower seeds, 2 T. sesame seeds, 6 T. currants
Flavoring: none
Granola with Tropical Flavoring
Add the coconut along with the cashews and banana chips.
Extra Ingredients: 1/4 c. chopped roasted unsalted cashews, 1/4 c. chopped banana chips, 1/4 c. sweetened flake coconut, 1/4 c. chopped dried pineapple
Flavoring: 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
Granola with Cherries and Almonds
Extra Ingredients: 1/3 c. sliced almonds, 1/3 c. sweetened flake coconut, 1/3 c. dried cherries
Flavoring: 3/4 tsp. almond extract
Trail Mix Granola
Extra Ingredients: 1/4 c. chopped roasted unsalted peanuts, 1/4 c. sweetened flake coconut, 1/4 c. dark or golden raisins, 1/4 c. mini chocolate chips*
Flavoring: none
*Stir chips into the granola only after it has completely cooled.
Orange-Berry Granola with Pecans
Extra Ingredients: 1/2 c. chopped pecans, 1/4 c. dried cranberries, 1/4 c. dried blueberries
Flavoring: 1/2 tsp. finely grated orange zest
Pear Granola with Hazelnuts and Vanilla
Extra Ingredients: 1/2 c. chopped hazelnuts, 1/4 c. chopped dried cherries, 1/4 c. chopped dried pears
Flavoring: 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Orange-Flavored Granola with Pistachios, Mangoes and Dates
Extra Ingredients: 1/2 c. chopped roasted pistachios, 1/4 c. chopped dates, 1/4 c. chopped dried mangoes
Flavoring: 1/2 tsp. finely grated orange zest and 1/4 tsp. allspice

Spicy Breakfast Casserole

Spicy Breakfast Casserole
Submitted by Jen P
3 c. frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
¾ c. shredded Pepper-Jack cheese
1 c. diced cooked ham or cooked sausage, drained
1 T. sliced green onions
4 beaten eggs
1 ½ c. milk
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
Arrange potatoes evenly in the bottom of a greased square (8x8 or 9x9) baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese, ham or sausage, and green onions. In a separate bowl, combine eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Pour egg mixture over layers in baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350º for 40-45 min. or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
To double this recipe (which I’d recommend if you have more than 4 people eating) -
Double all ingredients and use a 9x13 baking dish. Add an extra 5-10 minutes to baking time.
To prepare this the night before – Prepare up to the point where it’s ready to put in the oven, then cover it and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking it. Add an extra 10-15 minutes to baking time. (If you’re doubling it, this will take just over an hour to cook when it’s been in the fridge.)