Here I am introducing another exciting new feature to the food blog: Recipes for Weight Loss. I have started writing in weight loss here at Families and this morning I was writing about the many healthful benefits of adding flaxseeds to your diet. Then it occurred to me to include at least one recipe that actually contains flaxseeds and voila! We have a new category in the food blog! Any time I write about a specific food that a dieter might want to include in her diet (or his diet), I’ll make sure and try to include some great recipes in the food blog! With that said, here is a recipe for granola that includes flaxseeds!
Maple Apricot Granola
1/4 cup flaxseeds
6 cups old-fashioned oats
2 cups sliced almonds
1 cup hulled (green) pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup hulled sunflower seeds
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon of maple syrup flavoring
1/2 cup of toasted coconut
Dried apricots (diced); amount varies to taste
First toast the coconut. Spread it out on a shallow baking dish and bake at 350 watching carefully. You may need to turn it over or shake it to prevent burning. Coconut is toasted when it has a golden color.
Lay the seeds and oats out on a large shallow baking dish. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. You will need to stir the granola half way through baking to prevent burning.
Once the granola is cooled, add maple flavoring, apricots and toasted coconut. You may also wish to add some cinnamon or vanilla to the recipe.
Serving suggestions & Notes: Use the granola to make a parfait out of vanilla yogurt and fresh fruit. You can also use the granola as your regular bowl of cereal in the morning. . .just add some milk. The granola will keep for a few weeks in an air tight container.