Homemade Granola

We finally broke down and made Our. Own. Granola.  To put it mildly, it is *amazing*. Try this adapted Chow.com recipe at home.

Popped Amaranth Granola Recipe

TIME/SERVINGS

Total: 35 mins
Active: 5 mins
Makes: 6 cups

Tiny grains of amaranth take on a nutty flavor and crispy texture when popped like popcorn in a pan. Here we combine them with coconut, cashews, and a touch of honey to create a sweet granola that goes great with yogurt or can simply be eaten by the handful.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup amaranth seeds
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
• 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar (we used regular brown sugar)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon  (we omitted)
• 1 cup whole raw cashews, coarsely chopped (we used walnuts)
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats (we doubled the amount, maybe even tripled it - just keep adding until the mixture is the right amount of sweetness for your family.  The sugar mixture "glues" the grain mixture together but we didn't mind that our granola did not have more clumpy bits)
• 1 cup dried cherries, coarsely chopped (we used currants and stirred this into the mixture before baking)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Heat a medium frying pan over medium heat. When the pan is heated (make sure it's VERY HOT for best results), add the amaranth and cover (a mesh splatter screen or glass lid is recommended—the seeds will begin popping like miniature popcorn kernels). Shake the pan continuously until about half of the seeds have popped, about 1 to 2 minutes. NOTE:  Watch this video for good amaranth popping tips.  Transfer the seeds to a large bowl.
2. Combine butter, brown sugar, and honey in a small saucepan, place over medium heat, and stir until butter has melted and brown sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil and cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla, salt, and cinnamon; and set aside.
3. Add sugar mixture, cashews, coconut, and oats to reserved amaranth and stir until mixture is moist throughout.
4. Evenly spread mixture on a baking sheet. Bake until toasted and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Stir and continue to bake until lightly browned all over, about 5 minutes more.
5. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely. Stir in cherries and serve.

Enjo