Do you love toasty coconut? And granola? Then you'll love this suggestion from Melissa Clark: make your granola with coconut oil! Virgin coconut oil not only has a number of health benefits, it also lends a warm, nutty flavor to granola.
Clark shares her recipe for Double Coconut Granola in her newest cookbook, Cook This Now. It's basically a tweaked version of her addictive olive oil granola recipe, using melted coconut oil in place of the olive oil and a different assortment of nuts and dried fruit, with coconut chips providing the other hit of toasty coconut flavor.
But you don't have to stick to her recipe to enjoy this combination; try replacing the oil in your favorite granola recipe with melted coconut oil and see how you like it.
Get the recipe: Double Coconut Granola at WNYC Get the book: Cook This Now, $18.99 on Amazon
Have you ever tried making granola with coconut oil?
Related: Pantry Staples: Trader Joe's Organic Coconut Oil
(Images: Faith Durand; Emma Christensen)
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I second the coconut oil recommendation - delicious.
My Double Coconut Granola has been my most popular blog post . . . ever. People love it! Melissa's right, coconut oil is awesome in granola.
How's this for chutzpah -- I even gave some to Daniel Humm and Will Guidara at a meet-up a few months ago. When they tried it (and liked it), I almost died.
http://operagirlcooks.com/2010/07/28/double-coconut-granola/
A few weeks ago you did a feature on Trader Joe's coconut oil. I had never heard of coconut oil so read through the comment section to see what it could be used for. I found this recipe for granola and made it earlier this week. It is unbelievable!
Looking back now, I can't believe I went so long without making homemade granola. The coconut oil made my house smell amazing all evening and I even rubbed a little on my hands after washing the dishes.
http://www.two-tarts.com/2012/01/homemade-coconut-almond-granola.html
What are the "health benefits" that come from a manly saturated fat? I don't believe that there is enough research done around the consumption of coconut oil to allow for these benefits to hold true.
Hmm, I'm intrigued. Saw the ecstatic TJ coconut oil post from a couple weeks back but wasn't sure if I'd really use it for much--I've never been a huge fan of coconut flavor/scent, although it's starting to grow on me. I just made a batch of Smitten Kitchen's chewy granola bars for the first time, and they were great--particularly because of the coconut flakes. So the idea of coconut oil in granola is kind of appealing. But still not sure I'd go through a whole jar in a reasonable amount of time...anyone know the shelf life? Or fridge life--does it get refrigerated? How long could I expect a TJ-size jar to last once opened?
@Brooklynnina, if you don't think you'd use the whole jar for cooking, it makes a KILLER body moisturizer. Especially in winter (and the coconut scent doesn't last more than a few minutes, if you're not a big fan of that). :)
I use coconut oil because it doesn't go bad, it's tasty, it's full of great nutrients, and it's incredibly versatile! I use it in food and on my skin and hair.
re: saturated fats... http://www.foodrenegade.com/is-the-tide-turning-in-favor-of-saturated-fat/
you can always use the coconut oil for making your own magic shell ice cream topper
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/02/dining/02apperex4.html?_r=1
Mmm I love coconut, so this is look pretty darn good to me!
I guess I have selected a mind blowing and interesting blog.coconut oil
I've been using a coconut oil called Memory Oil, and it is fantastic! Can't go wrong with it, it is only $10 a 14oz. bottle! The value is just as great as a $20-$30 bottle of other coconut oils! I'd recommend it, because it saves you money and tastes great! Here is the link to Memory Oils site! http://memoryoils.com/ Thanks