Homemade Oat Nut Granola

For people who want to eat more oats for their health benefits, but don't care for oatmeal or don't have time in the mornings to sit down and eat breakfast. Homemade granola is quick and easy to make, is much better for you than most store-bought granola, and can be eaten as cereal or out of hand. Kids really like it, too. The recipe I use follows, but feel free to substitute ingredients as much as you'd like:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups rolled oats (NOT instant ones!)
• 2 cups nuts (I use almonds and pecans or cashews)
• 3/4 cup baking coconut
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, loosely packed
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup molasses or honey
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• dash vanilla
• 1 cup raisins or chopped dried fruits
• nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. In a large bowl, mix oats, spices, nuts, coconut, and brown sugar. In a smaller bowl, mix oil, molasses, salt, and vanilla. Gradually pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until thoroughly mixed (you might want to use your hands to make sure everything gets worked in).

Spread mixture on ungreased baking sheets and bake 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring with a fork every 20 minutes to ensure even browning of the granola. Remove from oven and mix in dried fruits. Cool and store at room temperature in airtight containers. Keeps for at least two weeks. I always eat it all by then :)

By Kat from Pittsburgh, PA