Low-Fat Winter Fruit Granola
The fat content of most commercial granolas is off the charts. Not so this homemade version, which calls for only a small amount of heart-healthy canola oil.
Makes about 6 cups or 24 ¼-cup servings
4 cups regular rolled oats
¼ cup unprocessed wheat bran
2 tablespoons canola oil
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon almond extract
½ cup sliced almonds
½ cup chopped dried pears or apples
¼ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup chopped dates
2 tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Combine the oats and bran on a large baking sheet.
In a small pan over medium heat, stir in the canola oil, maple syrup, and vanilla and almond extracts. When the mixture begins to bubble, pour it over the oat mixture and mix well.
Bake for 10 minutes. Add the almonds and stir the mixture thoroughly. Continue to bake until the oats and almonds are lightly toasted, about 10 minutes more, stirring again halfway through.
Stir in the pears, cranberries, dates, and ginger.
Bake until the oats are crisp, about 5 minutes longer.
Remove the pan from the oven and stir the mixture. Let the granola cool for 5 minutes, then stir again.
When completely cool, store the granola in an air-tight container for up to 4 weeks.
Per ¼ cup, about: Calories: 108, Protein: 3 g, Carbohydrate: 19 g, Dietary Fiber: 2 g, Total Fat: 3 g, Saturated Fat: 0 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Calcium: 19 mg, Sodium: 2 mg.
Excerpted from The Best Life Diet. Copyright © 2006 by Bestlife Corporation. All rights reserved.
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