My first attempt at making granola was a few years ago around the holidays. I gave a sample of it to a few friends to try and they both liked it so much they made it themselves to package up and give out as teacher’s gifts for Christmas. I’d say that’s a hearty stamp of approval!
The recipe calls for rolled oats (the old-fashioned kind not the instant) and REAL maple syrup. You can use pretty much any dried fruit and nut combination that makes you happy (I used dried cherries in the above photo). Be sure to add the dried fruit AFTER the granola comes out of the oven.
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Granola
– adapted from an Alton Brown recipe – www.foodnetwork.com
Makes 6 servings.
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup shredded sweet coconut
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 to 2 cups dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, cherries, blueberries, etc.)
Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, cinnamon and brown sugar.
In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, oil, and salt. Combine both mixtures and pour onto 2 sheet pans. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.
Remove from oven and transfer into a large bowl. Add dried fruit and mix until evenly distributed.
Tags: coconut, dried cherried, dried cranberries, dried fruit, granola, nuts, oats, pecans
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