Simple, Tasty Granola

By á-30092

My dad's been making this recipe for years - I eat it for breakfast everyday whenever I visit. This is, without a doubt, the best granola I've ever eaten. He's got the original recipe on a battered piece of paper that makes a tattered old pirate's treasure map look downright pristine. Also, fair warning, this recipe makes a hefty amount of granola. This recipe is a good base for experimenting as well. Try mixing up the type of nuts or dried fruits used.

Ingredients

• Dry:
• 12 Cups rolled oats
• 2/3 Cup sunflower seed
• 1/2 Cup sesame seeds
• 1 Cup pumpkin seeds
• 1 Cup almonds (roughly chopped)
• 1 Cup cashews (roughly chopped)
• 1 Cup coconut
• 2 Tbs cinnamon (more or less depending on your love - or lack thereof - for cinnamon)
• 1 Cup raisins (most any dried fruit will work)
• Liquid:
• 1 Cup canola oil (peanut oil also works)
• 3/8 Cup honey
• 3/8 pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Details

Preparation time 15mins
Cooking time 90mins

Preparation

Step 1

1. Mix all the dry ingredients, except for the raisins, in a large (really, you're going to need a very large) bowl.

2. Put all the liquid ingredients in a sauce pan and heat until blended together.

3. This is a good time to turn the oven on - preheat to 300 F

4. Pour the heated liquid ingredients into the oat mixture and mix thoroughly.

5. Find your largest pan that'll fit into your oven. The original recipe calls for 2 - 12" x 18" baking pans, but I use a large roasting pan. Distribute the mixture evenly in you pan(s).

6. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Stir every 10 - 15 minutes. Do not forget about your granola in the oven! It can burn frustratingly easily. If I may steal / adapt a line from The Princess Bride - There is a shortage of perfect granola in the world - it would be shame to damage yours.

7. After 1 and 15 minutes the granola should be a luscious golden brown (or a dark brown - black if you didn't heed my advice in the previous step. Shame on you). Remove from the oven and let it cool completely. Warning: the smell will be something akin to of divine - resist the urge to sample when warm! Almonds get soft when baked and make a for a nasty experience. Trust me, it's worth the wait.

8. After the granola has cooled completely, mix in the raisins.

9. Give into your hunger and have a bowl! I eat it plain, but it's also great with a little milk or yogurt. Store any leftovers in airtight containers and refrigerate.