Breakfast Parfait with or without Granola

Breakfast Parfait without
Granola

This is an old favorite breakfast that I have started to revisit. A little protein, a few carbs, some calcium and all around deliciousness make this a nice way to begin the day. I am told that milk contains B-12 which builds red blood cells that help carry the oxygen and nutrients throughout your body.  So you get deliciousness and nutrition. What a Plus!

I use plain, unflavored yogurt, but use whatever yogurt that you like.  My personal favorite is Alta Dena Yogurt, but store brand yogurt works in this as well. 
You could make some granola to sweeten the parfait and add a little sweet crunchiness to the dish. The recipe for Granola is included at the bottom.The fruit is enough sweetness for me but if you use plain yogurt, you could add a little honey or some other sweetener, as well.

1/2 cup of Yogurt
1/2 cup of Berries or other fruit, washed and stemmed
Granola (optional)

In a dessert dish, layer the yogurt, berries (and granola, if using). Top with a berries.

Homemade Granola

5 cups of Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
1 cup of Sweetened Flaked Coconut
1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
1 cup Applesauce
1/4 cup White Sugar
1/4 to 3/4 cup Coconut Palm Sugar or Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
nuts and dried fruit (optional)
oil

Line a jelly roll pan with foil and oil. Set Aside.  In a large mixing bowl, combine oats and coconut. Set Aside.
In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup oil, applesauce, sugars, cinnamon, ginger and salt.  Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.  Continue to cook until the oil is no longer separated from the rest of the ingredients.
Pour oil and applesauce mixture over the oats and coconut and mix thoroughly.  Spread the mixture evenly in lined jelly roll pan.  Bake a 350 degrees for25-30 minutes.  Stir once while baking.  Remove from oven and lower heat to 170 degrees.  Let the granola cool down while the oven heat is being reduced.  Place pan of granola back into the oven and bake.  Stirring every 10 to 15 minutes until granola is no longer soft.  This will take 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Let cool and add in any other ingredients you might like such as toasted almonds or dried cherries. Then  place in an airtight container.

I hope that you have a wonderful, delicious, nutritious breakfast and Enjoy!

Deloris