According to this article and this one, wheat germ is some sort of miracle powder. Protein, good fats, good carbs, vitamins, minerals etc. Ok, I buy that. I also went out and bought wheat germ.
Experiment #1: Homemade Granola
Normally, this kind of thing would be a little out of my range. Usually there's no way to avoid the high calorie count and the high ingredient number in homemade granola. But a few days ago I caught an episode of 5-Ingredient fix while at the gym and was inspired. Granola in 5 Ingredients? I'm in!
I went home and googled the original recipe. YIKES!! It's 1840 calories for 2.5 cups! That's what, 5 servings? Maybe 10 if a 1/4 cup serving is enough for you. But 180 cals for a 1/4 cup of ANYTHING sounds absurd. So I modified to varying degrees of success. It helped that I was in a grocery store RIGHT after watching that episode and saw puffed rice and puffed wheat on sale. These both taste a little boring to awful so I wondered if I could spruce them up. My first effort was only mildly successful.
Normally, this kind of thing would be a little out of my range. Usually there's no way to avoid the high calorie count and the high ingredient number in homemade granola. But a few days ago I caught an episode of 5-Ingredient fix while at the gym and was inspired. Granola in 5 Ingredients? I'm in!
I went home and googled the original recipe. YIKES!! It's 1840 calories for 2.5 cups! That's what, 5 servings? Maybe 10 if a 1/4 cup serving is enough for you. But 180 cals for a 1/4 cup of ANYTHING sounds absurd. So I modified to varying degrees of success. It helped that I was in a grocery store RIGHT after watching that episode and saw puffed rice and puffed wheat on sale. These both taste a little boring to awful so I wondered if I could spruce them up. My first effort was only mildly successful.
Julie's Granola Recipe #1 (needs refinement)
1 serving (1 cup or 14g) puffed rice-50cal
1 serving (1.25 cups or 16g) puffed wheat-50cal
1 serving wheat germ-60 cal
1/2 serving reduced sugar maple syrup-50cal
1/2 cup skim milk (but I'm LOVING my almond milk lately!)-20-50cal)
Liberal dose of cinnamon and ginger
1 pack sweetener (optional)
1/4 cup of whatever dried fruit/nut mix you like.
Mix all dry ingredients together
Mix wet ingredients in a little bowl (mix thoroughly!)
Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through
It's done when you think it's crunchy enough (but beware, it gets crunchier when it cools!)
1 serving (1 cup or 14g) puffed rice-50cal
1 serving (1.25 cups or 16g) puffed wheat-50cal
1 serving wheat germ-60 cal
1/2 serving reduced sugar maple syrup-50cal
1/2 cup skim milk (but I'm LOVING my almond milk lately!)-20-50cal)
Liberal dose of cinnamon and ginger
1 pack sweetener (optional)
1/4 cup of whatever dried fruit/nut mix you like.
Mix all dry ingredients together
Mix wet ingredients in a little bowl (mix thoroughly!)
Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through
It's done when you think it's crunchy enough (but beware, it gets crunchier when it cools!)
Note: I like to use dried fruits only as it keeps the calories down and adds more sweetness. Note2: Agave nectar also works but then you need more milk to dilute it
This wound up making 3 1/2 cup servings that I take to work as a snack.
Refinements: the wheat germ is less than successful.
Recipe #2: Same as #1 but without wheat germ. Much tastier.
Things to consider:
1) My fruit mix has currants in it. Who would have thought such a tasty fruit would wind up doing so poorly with drying?? May have to customize my own fruit mix.....good for the oatmeal breakfast bars too....
2) Is there a GOOD way to use wheat germ?? (Soon to come, in a smoothie) Please comment if you know something.
3) Turns out wheat germ has to be refrigerated. I did not know this but if mine goes bad, I will use that as an excuse to quit using it in my food.
4) I eat red meat, chicken and fish. Do I really need to get my protein from a grain? No.
This wound up making 3 1/2 cup servings that I take to work as a snack.
Refinements: the wheat germ is less than successful.
Recipe #2: Same as #1 but without wheat germ. Much tastier.
Things to consider:
1) My fruit mix has currants in it. Who would have thought such a tasty fruit would wind up doing so poorly with drying?? May have to customize my own fruit mix.....good for the oatmeal breakfast bars too....
2) Is there a GOOD way to use wheat germ?? (Soon to come, in a smoothie) Please comment if you know something.
3) Turns out wheat germ has to be refrigerated. I did not know this but if mine goes bad, I will use that as an excuse to quit using it in my food.
4) I eat red meat, chicken and fish. Do I really need to get my protein from a grain? No.
Not a bad looking little snack right?
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