Homemade Granola

One of the beautiful things about coming home to Texas for the summer time is being able to cook all day for the people I love.

I've been so excited to make my own granola for weeks, and this one came out so delicious! I like mine slightly toastier so I left it in the oven just enough time to let it bake to smokey perfection. If you prefer a sweeter granola, I suggest leaving it in for less time & using a bit more agave in the preparation.

I like sprinkling flaxseeds and hemp seeds into my food to help my body get all the important nutrients and oils that animal-based products have but without the nastiness of flesh or cruelty! Hemp seeds in particular contain the perfect balance of essential fatty acids our bodies require -- a blend of omega 3, omega 6, and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) which helps with inflammation. They also help to maintain the health of our organs and digestive system. Yay!

Flaxseeds also contain a great mix of omega fatty acids, and it has a brilliant nutty sweet taste. I love adding it to smoothies, yogurts, and oatmeal for an extra healthy kick!

I had the pleasure of visiting my sister in San Francisco last week, and I came across an amazing little store called Spice Ace. Naturally, I had to step in and find out all about it. I was in spice heaven! I discovered so many new spices that I can't wait to put in recipes this summer! I found an array of sea salts infused with things like Merlot and Espresso. You could walk around and sample as much of the spices you fancy. I used the espresso sea salt in this recipe and it is divine.

Have you ever made your own granola? I'd love to hear about it!

I love summer <3

Carys's Homemade Granola

1 cup quick rolling oats
1/2 cup ground milled flaxseed
3/4 cup hemp seed
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 1/2 cup agave (or maple syrup)
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon espresso sea salt (or just regular sea salt)
2 tablespoons sunflower oil (safflower or canola works as well)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup raisins, if desired

Preheat the oven to 375º. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. If you don't have any, aluminum foil works fine, just be sure to spray it with some non-stick spray or spread some earth balance over it. :)

Mix the oats, flaxseed, hemp seed, and almonds in a large bowl. Next, stir in the cinnamon, agave, sea salt, sunflower oil, and vanilla extract. Stir with a wooden spoon until oat mixture is covered evenly.

Spread the mixture onto the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes and mix it up with a spatula. Set for another 15 minutes. You can mix it up and leave it in for an additional 10-15 minutes if you're going for the smokey taste. Otherwise just take it out and mix in the raisins if you're using them (I recommend it). Serve warm with a glass of your favorite non-dairy milk. Mmmm..