Crunchy Granola And Then Some

How do foodies start their day? Usually with a better than average breakfast (although not me. I'm not a big breakfast person,never was - never will be).A lot of outsiders may think we start off with Eggs Benedict or an exotic mango salad. That may be true in some cases. Most times foodies are into cereals but not the just from the box kind. Many begin their day off with a big bowl of granola.

Where was granola born? Everyone assumes it started at a love in in Haight Asbury or at Woodstock because it was the hippie food of choice. Granola actually started a century earlier in 1863 when Doctor James C. Jackson developed a healthy breakfast dish of twice baked Graham cracker bits. He called called granula. A second doctor John Harvey Kellogg, the father of modern day cereals, made his own version using baked and whole grains. He too called this cereal granula and was sued by Jackson. Kellogg then changed the name to "granola" and started to market it. Unfortunately people in the late 1800's and 1900's were more into Kellogg's other invention, corn flakes and granola took a back seat. It wasn't until the hippie movement of the late Sixties that granola became a staple in all natural diets. Now it's everywhere.

Where to buy the best granola? At any outdoor farmer's market such as in the one in lower Manhattan's Union Square.Here you can find all sorts of varieties with wholesome ingredients. Try to buy ones with dried cranberries or blueberries for an extra nutritional kick. Almond granola is a good choice too because the nut is not only tasty but rich in vitamins. For granola with a kick, try cinnamon or nutmeg kind.

If you or your family have wheat and nut allergies then make the granola yourselves. Start with rolled oats and if you want add rye for more flavor. Then add some dried fruit. Again cranberries and blueberries are great but also think about dried peaches, apples and apricots. Forgo any peanut butter or nuts if you or your kids have nut allergies. Concentrate on adding seeds such as sunflower or even sesame. You can also liven it up with your own dashes of nutmeg, cinnamon, or even cardamon. Add raw sugar or brown sugar if you want a little sweetness. You can add maple syrup but this will make it sticky and messy to store.

Granola is not just for hippies any more.(well they could use it, considering most of them are in their sixties now). It's for foodies who like to start their day off with something that's not only good tasting but nutritious and good for them.