Strawberry Granola ~ Homemade Recipe and Favorite Brands

 

Eating a bowl of homemade granola with creamy, tart, whole, yogurt and sliced fruit is one of my favorite quick breakfasts. I am pretty particular about my granola, however recently there are two brands which I have discovered that are just as good as the one I make. Sommer House granola is so delicious and addictive that I had to carry it on my General Store. The combination of slightly sweet, and slightly salty, makes this treat by LA lady Jennifer Sommer a favorite in my pantry. She also uses pistachios in her recipe and I am discovering all the ways these nuts are beneficial to our health. As  a child in Iran I used to always hear how pistachios were good for our blood, and it seems this is not just a Persian myth. Consuming pistachios regularly can decrease the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol in the body. The antioxidants, phytosterols, and unsaturated fatty acids are great for promoting a healthy heart. The nuts are also a potent source of an amino acid called l-arginine, which prevents the hardening of arteries and the formation of clots.

Another clean, heathy and delicious brand is by Julie Benson called Just Good Granola. This I stumbled upon at the Farm Shop, when I was looking for an organic cereal that had just a few ingredients. The use of coconut makes this healthy and with good for you fat.

I also love to make granola with over dried fruit that is seasonal at the market. I will then store them in mason jars and keep on hand for snacking or breakfast on the go. Right now strawberries are plenty and luscious at the farmers market. In Ayurvedic recipes they like to have fruit cooked for better digestion.

I have a dehydrator however I am too lazy to set it up. I know it’s TMI, but these days I am all about transparency. To dry out my fruit I simply slice them up very thin, and roast them on a  low heat in the oven. I do these in the summer with tomatoes, peaches and berries.