Basic Granola

Time: About 45 minutes, mostly unattended
Servings: 10

4 c rolled oats
1 c unsweetened coconut flakes
1 c chopped nuts
4 Tbsp coconut oil or butter, softened
2 Tbsp honey, maple syrup, molasses, or sorghum syrup
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 c chia seeds
1/4 c ground flax seeds
Add in options such as chocolate chips, dried fruit, or fresh fruit

Preheat the oven to 350F.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, coconut flakes, coconut oil, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and extract. Stir until well-combined.

Spread the mixture onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes. Stir, and then bake another 10 minutes. Stir and check that the ingredients seem somewhat evenly toasted. If there are still patches of untoasted ingredients, return to the oven for another 5-10 minutes. Allow to cool completely. Pour into an airtight container. Add the chia seeds and ground flax. Shake to combine.

Add in options can be added at this point. Or leave the granola plain and choose add ins at each serving. Serve over yogurt or add milk for cereal.

Basic Oatmeal

Servings: 1

Time: Overnight soak (optional but recommended); 5-15 minutes

Ingredients

1/4 c rolled or steel cut oats

1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice

1 c water (for soak)

1 Tbsp ground flax seeds

1 tsp chia seeds

Add-in Ideas

• Blueberries, toasted almonds, cinnamon
• Banana, toasted pecans, unsweetened coconut flakes
• Apple or pumpkin butter, milk
• Unsweetened applesauce, toasted walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg 
• Bananas, dark chocolate pieces
• Blueberries, strawberries, yogurt
• Peaches, unsweetened coconut flakes, toasted pecans, cinnamon

The night before, put the oats, vinegar, and water in a bowl. Let soak overnight. In the morning, pour off the water and rinse the oats. Return them to the bowl (for microwave cooking) or the pot (for stovetop cooking) and add 1/2 c water. Cook in the microwave or on the stovetop until most of the water is evaporated and the oats are softened to your preferred texture. Rolled oats will take 2-5 minutes. Steel cut oats more like 10-15 minutes. 

When done, stir in the flax and chia seeds with any add-ins.

Maple Oatmeal Bars with Dates

This is my version of this recipe.

1/4 c maple syrup
1/2 c coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans
1 c pitted dates, chopped
2 eggs
4 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1/2 c applesauce (unsweetened)
1/2 c plain yogurt
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 c oat flour
3 c rolled oats
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
Dash cardamom (it's tasty, and quite strong)

Preheat the oven to 350F.

Grease a 9x13-inch pan with butter.

In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together until well-combined. Bake 25 minutes or until turning golden brown at the edges. Cool at least 15 minutes before cutting into squares.

Cold Oatmeal Cereal

1/4 - 1/3 c oats (steel cut or rolled), or a combination of oats, rye flakes, millet, or other whole grain
1 Tbsp plain yogurt
Milk (enough just to cover grains; any kind of milk is fine)

Combine in a cereal bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, stir in any mix-ins. Some of my favorites include:

• Chia seeds and ground flax seeds
• Fresh or frozen fruit (thawing is optional)
• Canned pumpkin
• Unsweetened, shredded coconut
• Toasted nuts
• Jams or jellies
• Applesauce or apple butter (preferably without added sweeteners)
• Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and/or cardamom

Pour in additional milk if needed for desired consistency.