Skip the Cereal Aisle–Make Your Own!

Ceres was the Roman goddess of agriculture. Her name eventually became associated with the single food that provides more energy for human beings than any other crop: grain. Unfortunately, today’s commercially-made cereals are often a far cry from their old-world roots. Just take a look at the labels–most cereal is made of sugars and “grains” that have been stripped of all their nutrients. Hardly a good way to start your morning.

The good news is, it’s very simple to make your own cereal. It consists of a mix of grains, nuts, seeds, and fruit. You can add spices and natural sweeteners (honey, agave, maple syrup) as you see fit. Here’s a basic recipe to try:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Mix together in a bowl:

3 cups of grains (any combination of quick oats, rolled barley, or wheat flakes)
1/2 to 1 cup of seeds (any combination of sunflower, sesame, pumpkin)
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 to 1 cup of nuts (any combination of pecans, almonds, peanuts, walnuts, cashews)
1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup to 1/2 cup of honey or maple syrup
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)
Pinch of sea salt

You may have to mix the ingredients together with your hands. When thoroughly incorporated, spread out in a baking pan that has high enough sides to keep the granola from spilling out. Bake for about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes with a wooden spoon to prevent granola from burning. Granola will turn golden brown and fragrant. Remove from oven and let cool. If desired, stir in dried fruit such as raisins, dried blueberries, dried apples, dried pineapple…whatever you like.

Experiment with adding a teaspoon of almond or vanilla extract to the mixture before baking to get a different flavor! You can also try shaking on some spices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg) before baking or when serving to add flair. Top with Greek yogurt, serve with nut milk (hazelnut is my favorite!), or splash with coconut milk–the choice is yours. The granola mixture will keep in an airtight container for several weeks.

Ceres, I’m sure, would be delighted with your breakfast!

Tags: cereal, coconut, dried fruit, grains, granola, honey, oats