Granola Recipe

Since you asked for it, here!

This is our version of Granola that we have modified and adapted from Food to Live By: The Earthbound Farm Organic Cookbook (Earthbound Farm Organic Cookbk)
Golden Maple Almond Granola and Cranberry Pecan Granola recipes.

4-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats (I buy my organic oats in a 25 lb. bag from AzureStandard.com)
1-1/2 cups chopped nuts (pecans, almonds, walnuts, or a combination)
1/2 cup seeds of your choice, optional.  (I use whatever I have, sunflower, chia, flax, or a combination)
1 cup brown sugar (I use Wholesome Sweeteners Fair Trade Organic Light Brown Sugar -- 24 oz
 because it's extraordinarily fragrant and delicious, but it's pricy.)
2 tablespoons dried orange peal or zest of 2 oranges (I use this only if using cranberries)
1/2 cup coconut oil (the recipe actually calls for canola oil, but I don't buy that)
1/2 cup water
1 cup Pure Maple Syrup (I use Grade B dark amber from our local farm co-op)
1 cup dried cranberries or raisins (or any dried fruit, or omit and add fresh fruit while serving)


Directions:
preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Place dry ingredients except fruit into large bowl and stir.  Place all liquids in separate bowl and wisk to combine, pour over oat mixture and stir to combine.  Spread granola over large rimmed cookie sheet and bake until it begins to brown, about 25 minutes.  Stir with flat spatula and continue to bake until brown, dry, and fragrant, about 15-20 minutes longer, stirring once more.  Watch carefully the last few minutes, or it will not be so wonderful.  After cooled, add dried fruit.

Since this recipe stays good for up to a month on the counter or 3 months frozen, I usually quadruple the recipe.  We love this with yogurt or milk, and it's especially good with almond milk.

I am not kidding when I say I can't follow a recipe, we (Belle and Boy usually) make this different every time.  I even used to make it in the crock-pot when we lived in the trailer.  You could make it as healthy (or cheap) as you like, depending on what ingredients you buy. You can even soak your oats beforehand.  I haven't got that far just yet.

Despite my inability to use a recipe correctly, I absolutely love this particular cookbook and it is the only cookbook I actually use on a regular basis.