off the menu: granola

Let's be clear. I am not a recipe creator. I follow the recipe and that is all. So let's not expect that I will be providing recipes on this site. However, I am going to make an exception here that I hope won't upset my Aunt Lisie and my Aunt Rhonda. I'm going to give you Aunt Lisie's version of Aunt Rhonda's granola. I don't know where Aunt Rhonda came up with this, so if you think it looks remarkably like your recipe, all I can say is I am very sorry to give the wrong person credit and I would be happy to give you credit if you tell me who you are. My whole family would be happy to give you credit, especially one of my step-sons, who could probably eat a whole batch in one sitting.  If this is not your recipe, then you should call Aunt Lisie and Aunt Rhonda right now and thank them.  

3 cups oats

2 cups sliced almonds

½ cup sunflower seeds

½ cup pumpkin seeds

¼ cup oat bran

¼ cup flax seeds

¼ cup brown sugar

1 tsp salt (I use ½ tsp)

½ tsp cinnamon

¼ cup oil

¼ cup honey

¼ cup dark Karo syrup

2 Tblsp vanilla

1 cup craisins

1 cup fruit bits

Mix the dry ingredients. Mix the wet ingredients then mix into the dry. Spread over two pans and bake at 250° for an hour or so, stirring every 20 minutes. Let cool. Mix in fruit. 

A couple of pointers. I cheat with the wet ingredients and measure them all into one cup like this

starting with the heavier stuff (Karo and honey) then adding the oil followed by the vanilla. Whisk it all together in the measuring cup. Take my advice and do not attempt to use a whisk to stir the wet into the dry unless you want to be picking bits out of the whisk for the next month. Use a wooden spoon. 

Everything in this recipe is flexible, so if you can't find or don't like one of the nuts/seeds, substitute. Almonds are expensive. Try Costco for these (in the salad fixings or baking aisle). Toasted coconut makes a great addition. If you have a Walgreen's nearby, try mixing in a package of their Nice brand tropical fruit. Granola freezes well. So do flax seeds if you buy them in bulk. This makes a great teacher gift (package in canning jars).

This is REALLY good in greek yogurt. Careful, though. It's kind of like crack. You'll want to eat it everyday. 

Thanks, Aunt Lisie and Aunt Rhonda.