Homemade Granola

This is a basic granola recipe. Once you know how to make it choose your favorite nuts berries and seeds and experiment with the combinations. My favorite way to make this granola is with walnuts, flax seeds, and dried cherries. Another great combination is almonds, raisins, and cardamom. 

2 cups old fashion oats

1 cup nuts

½ seeds

1 cup dried fruit

½ cup dried coconut

1 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup coconut oil

extra oil to grease a cookie sheet

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large bowl toss together the first six ingredients. Grease a cookie sheet and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.  In a small pot boil the oil, brown sugar, and honey until it becomes frothy and light in color. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon to make sure the sugar does not burn. Once the mixture has boiled for about 3 to 5 minuets and is lighter in color turn of the heat and add the vanilla. Toss the dry ingredients as well as possible in the oil sugar mixture and spread out evenly on the cookie try. If it is not too hot use your hands to spread it out and coat as much of the dry ingredients as you can. Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown. Stir occasionally about every ten minutes while it is cooking.  Remove from the oven and let cool. I cool mine over night in the oven. When you take it out of the oven the granola will still be soft. Once it has cooled it will harden. Store in a dry place.