2 January 2011

Frogs Hollow Granola Maple Baked Apples


L'il Burnt Toast and The Kid are visiting for the weekend. Talk about the perfect way to start the new year for this mom!!New Years Day we indulged in a hearty breakfast that included Maple Glazed Peameal Bacon with Latkes, strip bacon, English Muffin Loaves...in short a "not so healthy" way to begin a new year resolution of eating health conscious choices, but, still the perfect way to bring in a year of promise. These are not the "Breakfasts of Champions" but are certainly acceptable for hearty weekend fare.

In saying that, today is the day I am turning over a new leaf and present to you a healthier alternative for breakfast that is equally delicious and filling. I used  the Frogs Hollow granola I received at Foodbuzz this year. I can't believe I still have some leftover it is that good!I don't expect to be back in California before the fall so with a little Google search you will find the recipe below from Epicurious for Frogs Hollow Granola so that we can all enjoy our own.

If I made New years resolutions I have decided to start making my own granola. I hope my friends don’t buy me a tie-dye leotard to match my Birkenstocks...but it’s really because I love granola on my Greek yogurt with some bananas or other fruit for breakfast. It is also perfect for these baked apples as well. Such a tasty way to turn over a new page.

P.S. The kids gave me a light box for Christmas so I will be experimenting.

**Maple Granola Baked Apples**

4 apples
1/3 cup whole grain granola
3 tablespoons chopped cashews, walnuts or sunflower seeds
3 tablespoons raisins or dried cranberries
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
2/3 cup apple juice
1/4 cup maple syrup

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Core apples; peel 3/4-inch (2 cm) wide strip from around top of each. Trim base if necessary to level. Place in 8-inch (2 L) square glass baking dish.

Combine granola, cashews or seeds, raisins and butter; stuff into apple cavities. Whisk apple juice with maple syrup; pour over apples. Bake in 375°F (190°C) oven, basting every 10 minutes, for about 15 - 20 minutes or until very tender and flesh is easily pierced with knife. Let cool until warm. To serve, spoon yogurt over apples. (Make-ahead: Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day; reheat in oven for 20 minutes.)

**Frogs Hollow Farm Granola**

This basic but addictive granola comes from chef Becky Courchesne at Frog Hollow Farm in San Francisco's Ferry Building. She measures ingredients by weight, so if you have a kitchen scale use it for this recipe. They've included approximate cup measurements if you don't have a scale. Her recipe is simple and understated, lightly sweetened with honey. Courchesne uses a little bit of milk powder, which helps bind the clumps together, and adds calcium and protein. Dry ingredients are limited to raisins, sliced almonds and sesame seeds in addition to the oats.

1 pound rolled oats (about 4 1/2 cups)
4 1/2 ounces sliced almonds (about 1 1/4 cups)
2 ounces sesame seeds (scant 1/2 cup)
2 ounces wheat germ (about 2/3 cup)
3 ounces nonfat dried milk (scant 2/3 cup; see Note)
5 1/2 ounces whole-wheat pastry flour (about 11/3 cups)
4 ounces sunflower seeds (about 2/3 cup)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
18 ounces honey
7 1/2 ounces safflower or canola oil
4 to 5 ounces raisins or dried fruit of choice (about 1 cup)

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Preheat the oven to 325 degrees if conventional, or 300 degrees if convection.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, sesame seeds, wheat germ, dried milk, pastry flour, sunflower seeds and salt.

In a large sauce pan over low heat, warm the honey and oil together. Do not overheat, or the granola will have a burned taste. Pour the honey mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well.

Divide the granola between 2 half sheet pans or rimmed baking sheets. Bake for 10 minutes, remove from oven, toss granola, spread out again and bake 10 minutes more.

Remove from oven a second time, toss and spread out, breaking up any big chunks. Bake for 10 minutes more. The granola should feel dry but not too dark.

Remove from the oven and cool completely; if after cooling, the granola feels soft, you can bake again until it feels dry. (Do not bake again after you've added the dried fruit.)

Once granola is completely cool, add the raisins or dried fruit. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to four weeks.

Makes 15 cups

Note: Nonfat dried milk can be found in the bulk bins or baking aisle of most grocery stores.

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30 comments:

  1. Happy New Year VAl...what a glorious, healthy dish to start off the new year. Baking apples really brings them to another level!

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  2. This look really yummy I love this type of breakfast Valli, Glad you are with daugther! huggs, gloria

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  3. How fun you received a light box!! I love granola and this recipe looks delicious. I will be trying it soon!! Happy New Year!!!

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  4. Why do baked apples always seem so healthy? I mean we fill them with sugar and maple syrup, and other not so healthy things, but everytime I eat one I feel like I'm being a good girl.

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  5. Hmmm make my own granola...maybe that's what I want to start doing in the new year. This sounds delicious! Have fun with your daughter and future son-in-law!

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  6. This would be an amazing healthy breakfast or dessert! Love the maple syrup flavor and your homemade granola sounds excellent! Happy New Year!

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  7. This is a fab healthy dessert Val - satisfies a sweet tooth while being nutritious. I don't make baked apples enough.

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  8. Baked apples are delicious and so healthy!

    Happy New Year!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  9. I started making my own granola 2 years ago and never looked back. And it lasts for two months- and yes is delicious. Didn't even have to put on my love beads to make it. Now you have given me a new way to use it - other than throwing it on yogurt. Love the baked apples - good for when I want a sweet but not a sugar rush.

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  10. Love these easy desserts that are healthy too! Happy New Year, Val!

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  11. What a glorious way to begin the new year. I haven't made granola in an age, but you've inspired to give that recipe of yours a try. It sounds wonderful. I hope the new year brings you continued health and happiness. Have a good day and enjoy the company of your guests. Blessings...Mary

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  12. My kids and I love granola, especially the homemade kind. This looks like such a nice warming breakfast. A new light box! So much fun! Happy New Year to you and your family!

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  13. What a great idea for a healthy breakfast (or dessert). I plan on making my own granola this week, and now I know some other way to use it besides on yogurt!

    Happy New year to all of you in the More Than Burnt Toast family!

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  14. Valli, what a great, healthy, fruit-filled breakfast. I would love to wake up to the aroma of these baked apples. I wish you amost happy new year! I apologize if I have not been visiting often enough, but my father has been hospitalized with emergency issues and I've been a bit out of kilter as a result. I hope to be around more as things calm down! Roz

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  15. Yogurt with a good sprinkling of granola is my favorite breakfast. Your recipe sounds delicious, Val, and I'm looking forward to trying it.

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  16. Granola with fruit and Greek yogurt is my favorite breakfast- homemade granola is even better. The apples look fantastic too- so many healthful options! :)

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  17. ooooh la la! baked apples are a favorite treat and i'm pretty excited about the granola component here. very nice, val!

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  18. Happy New Year to you & your faily Val. What a delicious beginning to the new year, and I'm pleased to see 'not so healthy' beginning...sometimes, it tastes better to break the cal rules! Yumm...and baked apples? Mmmm...right up my street! Have a wonderful 2011!!

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  19. What a lovely dessert! Maple syrup with apples - yum yum yum! Happy New Year dear friend!

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  20. I don't know why I don't make these more often! We all love them and this is a super recipe, Val!

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  21. The apples look tasty. I think I just might stop missing the bread and bacon and latkes for those.

    These days there is nothing "granola" about making your own granola. It's a great way to control the sugar and fat content of your food. Tie dye and Birkenstocks are perfectly acceptable anyway (says the crazy NY, tree-hugging liberal).

    Hope you have a very happy new year. Enjoy experimenting with the light box in 2011. I'm still holding out hope that mine is helping make up for the crappy quality of my photos.

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  22. Love baked apples and yes we too are trying to eat healthier in the New Year. Happy New Year Val!

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  23. Happy New Year, Val!!!! Kids are HOME! You are blessed and doing the GOOD mommy thing: healthy, delicious and GORGEOUS food! That's why they keep coming back (and the talks)...
    Hope your daughter is well and you got it all taked out for now...
    HAPPY 2011!!!!
    :)
    valerie

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  24. Looks delicious, Val, especially with the yogurt spooned over the top! Happy new year to you & your family!

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  25. Oooh I love baked apples! Love the addition of granola.
    Happy New Year Val x

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  26. This would definitely be a great desert for me.

    Hope you are well. I am back on track and busy comenting on blogs.

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  27. happy new year, val

    the photo of the baked apple reminds me of the many simple fruity desserts that i havent made in a while - it looks so healthy!

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  28. Yumm! Can't wait to make that granola! I love homemade granola:)

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  29. Hi Val, I know that I'm slow in returning back to this post to thank you for linking it up last week on Fresh Fridays! I've got so many areas that I'm committed to improving this year besides my nutrition! Hope all is well in my favorite neighbor country! Did I ever tell you that my husband is an honorary Newfoundlander cuz he used to teach summers there for many years! So he's a Newfie! Roz

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  30. I just finished up the last of my granola. I enjoyed it with yogurt. The dried peaches they gave us were an awesome snack too.

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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