Granola

I love granola. I eat it for breakfast in the morning with vanilla yogurt. It's good just to munch by itself as a snack. It's good over ice cream. Here is a very basic granola recipe.


Homemade Granola

6 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
2 cups sliced almonds
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup maple syrup (or honey)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Toss the oats, coconut and almonds together in a large bowl (LARGE BOWL). Whisk together the oil and honey (or mix till gently heated in a pan on the stove). Pour the liquids over the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated.

Pour into a 13 x 18 x 1 inch sheet pan (I coat mine with vegetable oil first). Spread around till even. Bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until the mixture turns into a nice, even golden brown, about 45 minutes. (After 30 minutes, KEEP AN EYE ON IT. It tastes AWESOME when golden brown, not quite so good when dark brown.)


Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool, stirring occasionally.

When COOL (this could be overnight, even) add the dried fruit, seeds and nuts.

You can add some or all of these goodies:
1-1/2 cups diced dried apricots
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup dried golden raisins
1 cup currants
1 cup dried banana chips (broken up)
1 cup roasted, unsalted cashews (or other nuts or a mixture. No peanuts)
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
(Or any combination of dried fruits and nuts and seeds that pleases you)

Stir to mix. Store in an airtight container.

Makes about 5 pounds.