Sometimes you just want a little extra something to sprinkle atop a dish to give it oomph.
Chef Laura Briscoe knows that feeling. That’s why in 2004, she created her Arizona company, Laura’s Gourmet, a line of certified gluten-free granola and savory grain toppers.
Recently, I had a chance to try some samples. Her Southeast Asian Ancient Grain Savory Topper ($13.50 for a 10-once tin) has a fine, slightly crunchy texture. Think of it as almost a granola version of furikake.
It’s made of rolled oats, millet, and quinoa with organic coconut oil, sliced almonds, sunflower seed butter, sugar, and flaxseed. It has a gentle sweetness balanced by salt along with a nice nuttiness.
The ingredients list includes “spices,” but I can’t say that any particular Asian spice came through in taste, though, the overall effect is definitely savory. There’s a fatty richness to it, too, with the coconut oil coating the palate.
I sprinkled it over blistered, roasted green beans. It would be a nice addition to rice bowls, noodle dishes, and veggie salads.
Just be aware, though, that one tablespoon has 100 calories. It has 3 grams of saturated fat, 80 milligrams of sodium, 11 grams of total carbs, 3 grams of protein, and no cholesterol.
Her AppleLicious Crunch Granola ($10.99 for a 16-ounce bag) boasts a big taste of apple and cinnamon with a touch of clove for warmth. It’s very much like apple pie in granola form.
It’s crunchy, sweet, and with the perfect touch of salt. It’s made with oats, brown sugar, canola oil, agave nectar, cinnamon-scented diced apples, and ground Madagascar vanilla beans.
Spoon it over morning yogurt or ice cream at night. Or use it to top baked apples for an easy apple crisp. Or to fortify cookie recipes.
One quarter cup has 95 calories, 3 grams of total fat, 65 milligrams of sodium, 14 grams of total carbs, 26 milligrams of calcium, 94 milligrams of potassium and no cholesterol.
This is a very loose granola without any clusters. If you like your granola chunkier, check out Laura’s Gourmet Granola Clusters instead.
Laura’s Gourmet products are available on its website, in stores such as New Leaf markets, and via Amazon.