Sunday, March 28, 2010

Granola for EVERYDAY!!!

Let me begin by saying that I eat this everyday over FAGE (no other will do!!) Sometimes

even for 2 meals:)
ingredients:
5 cups rolled oats 
1 cup sliced almonds 
1 cup chopped pecans (good ole Texas must!) 
1 cup Pepita seeds 
1 cup ground flax 
1 cup wheat germ 
1 cup sesame seed 
2 cups shredded unsweetened coconut 
1 cup hulled sunflower seeds (I use salted) 
1 cup oil (sesame best, or canola) 
2 cups local unprocessed honey *I add some sea salt (certainly optional!) 
2 cups unsweetened dried cherries 1 cup dried blueberries 
2 cups dried cranberries (unsweetened if you can find it) 
directions: *preheat oven to about 325 *IN A HUGE BOWL:)))) stir together all ingredients EXCEPT FRUIT!!! (if you will heat the honey a bit it will mix much easier) *Pour into LARGE oiled pan (I use the same kind of pan in which I cook Thanksgiving turkey) *HOW LONG??? This is the only tricky part..... most granola recipes will say for about 20 minutes.... I've found that it takes much longer with this much stuff:) I put it in the oven and every 10 minutes (or shorter as it cooks) I stir the mixture especially the edges. As it gets done... your entire kitchen will get the aroma of honey toasted oats and nuts! YUMMMMMMMMMMY When it gets brown all through, take it out and let it cool for a short time. When you can touch the pan, stir in the dried fruits. Continue to cool the mixture... as it cools, it will begin to get crunchy. I find it easiest to stir it as I come into the kitchen until it is completely cool. Store it in airtight containers. 
CAUTION: only share it with family and friends if you want to ALWAYS make big batches... well maybe that is only applicable to VERY good friends and wonderful daughters:) Enjoy!!! Truly... this is a staple at our house... and TRULY FAGE yogurt is best!