Great Granola

I just about died when I saw the prices for granola in the store recently (and cereal in general). I came right home and scrounged up some recipes for homemade granola and made this one of things I like.

It turned out SOOO good. I've taken to giving some to my neighbor who pronounced I could "charge $12 a pound for this stuff!" I think that is a good endorsement, indeed.



Great Granola

2 cups regular or quick-cooking oats, not instand
1 cup sweetened dried coconut flakes
1 1/2 cup chopped nuts (I often do a combo of chopped pecans and sliced almonds)
6 T oil (something without flavor, like vegetable, canola, etc)
4 T honey
1/4 t salt
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a large baking sheet with parchment or foil. Mix all ingredients well in a large bowl. Sprinkle on the baking sheet.

Bake for 15 minutes, keeping your eye on it often. At halfway, stir the granola on the sheet, moving the outside pieces in. You want to really watch the granola, as it can go from golden brown to burned in no time. You want it to be just a light blonde, a little lighter than you'd think it would need to be. It will bake a tad longer in the time it cools. Cool on the sheet and then package in airtight container.

You can play with the sweetener - using maple syrup or a combo of maple syrup and honey. Feel free to play with the nuts, seasonings, etc. Add ginger, allspice, whatever!

After it's cool, feel free to add whatever dried fruit you like, but I often sneak it plain. I also enjoy it with dried cranberries and cherries on my yogurt.