Friday, April 3, 2009

HOMEMADE GRANOLA

Stir some homemade granola into yogurt, sprinkle on ice cream, eat as is for a snack or pour milk over granola in a bowl for a healthy, tasty breakfast cereal.
Despite all the ingredients in this recipe you will still be saving big time over the cost of breakfast cereals, which is costing $4-$5 a box.
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Homemade Granola
4 cups rolled oats
2 cups sweetened, shredded coconut
2 cups sliced almonds
1/2 cup cashews
1/2 cup light olive oil
2/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon-optional
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup dried cranberries or raisins
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Toss the oats, coconut,almonds and cinnamon (if using)together in a large bowl. Whisk together the oil and honey in a small bowl. Pour the liquids over the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated. Pour onto a 13 by 18 by 1-inch sheet pan. Bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until the mixture turns a nice, even, golden brown, about 45 minutes.
Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool, stirring occasionally. Add cherries, cranberries, and cashews. Store the cooled granola in an airtight container.