Counting down the days to Christmas with Spicy Jan – Recipe 10

You might be thinking that last time you checked granola was baked in the oven and not in the Instant Pot!   YOU ARE CORRECT!   It’s close to the holidays, and I have been cooking up a storm and I had to make sure I got in my healthy and choked full of nuts, home-made granola, so I decided to share how I prepare it. This is now what I offer as a holiday best wishes to my neighbours, and I’m sure they love it just as much as my family does, any time of the year.   I just finished making nine, three cup jars, and I decided to stop and put my feet up for a few and share the ‘how to.’

Thanks to my lifelong friend who shared a jar of granola with me last year and I haven’t looked back since.  I’ll be honest, I had never made granola in the past as I really didn’t love the smell of the Bulk Barn store. I’m not sure what that was all about, yet it kept me away from this store for years and now, it’s one of my favourite go to places.   The smell was in my mind I can only figure, not sure, but it is smell free now to me and my happy place to wander about.

I visited my fave Bulk Barn location today and scooped up my granola must adds. Half walnuts, blanched unsalted cashew halves, blanches unsalted peanuts, hulled and raw pumpkin seeds, raw almonds, hemp seeds, hulled and raw sunflower seeds and dried unsweetened cranberries (only added in the last 5 minutes).

I love that I can get the quantity I want and often they have coupons for discounts in product or money off.  Love me some Bulk Barn.

Let’s start making granola. It’s almost Christmas and you still have time to get a batch on.

Pour all of your seeds and nuts plus ½ cup raw large oatmeal into a mixing bowl (don’t add the cranberries).  In a measuring cup add coconut oil and honey, equal parts.  I usually begin with 1/3 cup of each, then sprinkle in generous amounts of cinnamon.   Warm this until it melts and drizzle the cinnamon mixture over the nuts and seeds while mixing continuously (you will need a helper for this part.)  Next, spray a large cookie sheet and pour the granola over the tray spreading it out evenly.

Place in a 325 preheated oven, setting the timer for 8 minutes.

After 8 minutes, open the oven and mix the granola around carefully getting it away from the edges so it doesn’t spill.  Place back into the oven for 6 minutes.

After 6 minutes, repeat the same mixing and add the cranberries.  Place back into the oven for 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes, remove from the oven mixing again and let cool on the counter.  As the mixture cools stir occasionally to reduce sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Once the mixture is cooled it is ready to jar and gift or eat yourself. I love this for lunch daily, adding bananas and oranges for a wholesome lunch.  It’s perfect also with yogurt or an apple crumble topping. This also makes beautiful gifts from your kitchen to your neighbours and offers a reason to ring the doorbell and wish everyone a happy holiday season of good cheer.

Remember, the more you make this granola you can be creative about what you add, and the mixture you prepare.  For now, this is a perfect start.

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