Two Granola Reviews

[hpcowsmkgr8chz]

I'm on a granola kick this week and tried two new recipes. The first was Granola Crunch from Weight Watchers Magazine. I really liked the textures and it wasn't too sweet. I had it over yogurt during the week, but found I especially liked it with milk. I just made my second batch. This is one I will continue to make since it's so low in fat/calories.

The second was Wholesome Morning Granola from CL JF/04. This one is crunchier than the first. It had quite a bit more flavor since it had coconut, fruit juices, and honey. I used orange-flavored dried cranberries instead of the blueberries the recipe called for. It cooked much faster than 40 minutes so I had very brown granola! It has quite a bit more fat/calories than the first, so I probably won't have it around as often.

I picked up the Turbinado sugar today while I was at HomeChef. I paid $5.95 for a one-pound bag. My next stop was Whole Foods, where they had it in bulk for $0.99/lb. :mad:

Here are the recipes:

Granola Crunch

Serving Size : 18

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
3 1/2 cups rolled oats
3 shredded wheat biscuits -- crushed
1/4 cup slivered or sliced almonds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup dried fruit -- of your choice

Mix rolled oats, shredded wheat, almonds, sunflower seeds, oil, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in large bowl. Spread evenly on a 15x10-inch pan coated with nonstick spray. Bake at 325 for 20 minutes, or until cereal is golden brown.

Remove from oven and cool before mixing in dried fruit. Store in covered container.

Source:
"Weight Watchers JF/04"
Yield:
"6 cups"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 150 Calories; 6g Fat (35.7% calories from fat); 4g Protein; 21g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 3mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Fruit; 1 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

NOTES : 3 points per 1/3 cup serving.


Wholesome Morning Granola

Serving Size : 13

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
4 cups regular oats
2 cups puffed rice cereal
1/2 cup flaked sweetened coconut
1/2 cup oat bran
1/4 cup sliced almonds -- toasted
3 tablespoons turbinado sugar
3/4 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup apple juice
1/4 cup honey
cooking spray
1/4 cup dried blueberries

Preheat oven to 325

Combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl. Combine the juices in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook until reduced to 2/3 cup. Remove from heat; stir in honey. Slowly pour juice mixture over oat mixture, tossing to coat. Spread oat mixture evenly onto a jelly roll pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 325 for 40 minutes or until golden, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly; stir in blueberries. Cool completely, and store in an airtight container.

Source:
"Cooking Light JF/04"
Yield:
"7 1/2 cups"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 286 Calories; 6g Fat (18.4% calories from fat); 10g Protein; 51g Carbohydrate; 7g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 3mg Sodium. Exchanges: 2 1/2 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Fruit; 1 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

NOTES : 5 points per 1/2 cup serving.

[Cooky]

Thanks Hp for the first recipe and review. I love homemade granola with yogurt and DH loves it with soy milk. :p

[valchemist]

Originally posted by hpcowsmkgr8chz
It has quite a bit more fat/calories than the first, so I probably won't have it around as often.



thanks for those reviews! I love granola. and I was wondering how that recipe in the new CL would be.

I was confused by your statement above, though. The second recipe (the one from CL) doesn't have more fat. and it has a much lower % of calories from fat. (also, the serving size is bigger so that is why there is more calories.)

[hpcowsmkgr8chz]

Originally posted by valchemist


thanks for those reviews! I love granola. and I was wondering how that recipe in the new CL would be.

I was confused by your statement above, though. The second recipe (the one from CL) doesn't have more fat. and it has a much lower % of calories from fat. (also, the serving size is bigger so that is why there is more calories.)

Ah Valchemist, now you're making me look at the truth. I probably shouldn't have said it that way, because yes, the serving size is bigger and doesn't make it too much higher in points. I would just want to eat the full serving size and could never *think* of having less for less points :o . *that's* the true reason for me making it less often. :D

PS - I saw your post a while back on all the granola recipes you tried. I haven't made any of those yet, so I'm not sure how these will compare. There are a couple there I think I'll try now.

A couple of other points. You're right, salt does bring out the sweetness more. I plan on adding a touch of salt next time to help bring out the flavors a bit more. You mentioned clumping as well. Neither of these recipes clumped, which I was okay with.

[sweetpea]

I made the granola from CL Jan/Feb this a.m. I used rice krispies b/c that is what i had and i used apple cider that had already been "spiked" with cinnamon/cloves/maple syrup so i omitted the honey. I was thrilled to find this recipe b/c i had 3/4 cup of pineapple juice in the fridge from making the pineapple/banana/coconut upside down cake! And a good excuse to finally open up my dried blueberries that i have had forever! Mine was done at about 35 minutes also and this was my first time making granola....very good! It could use some more sweet, but i figure we can add honey on top with our milk! Very tasty and smells great!