Granola

We are big fans of oatmeal around here, but in the summer a steaming bowl of oatmeal just doesn't sound right. So we eat granola.

Here is the Recipe:
Mix the following in a large bowl:
3 1/2 cups old fashioned oats - not the 1 minute kind

1/2 cup coconut

3 T Flax seeds

3 T Sesame seeds

1/4 c Sunflower or pumpkin seeds

1/2 c nuts - your choice I used sliced almonds

2 t Cinnamon

In a smaller microwaveable bowl mix:

1 t salt

1/4 cup Brown Sugar

4 T Honey, Maple Syrup and / or Molasses in any combiniation

**trick #1** Melt / caramelize the sweeteners in the microwave for 1 minute so they will coat the granola evenly.

Then add:

2 t vanilla

1/4 c oil

Stir together and add to the dry ingredients.

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Spread out the granola on the sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes stirring twice. The second time you stir lightly press down the granola so it sticks together. Remove from oven when it is the right color of golden brown. **trick #2** this is very important: Do not stir after you take it out of the oven. Let it sit in the pan until it is completely cool. This will allow the caramelized sugar to make the granola stick together like it should. Then break it apart and add:

2 cups of dried fruit. I usually use raisins, but I am loving dried blueberries too.

Store in jars or Ziploc bags. I double or triple this recipe to make enough to last for a month.

We eat this with milk for breakfast, or with yogurt and fruit for lunch, and on top of ice cream with some strawberry jam for dessert. Not all three everyday of course. And if you are not used to eating flax seeds go easy until your body adjusts.