Home Made Granola

HOME MADE GRANOLA

Serves: 16 

Ingredients:

o   4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

o   1 and ½ cup of raw nuts/seeds of your choice (i.e. walnuts, brazil, almonds, cashews, pecans, pepitas, linseeds)

o   ¾ teaspoon salt 

o ½ teaspoon cinnamon

o ½ cup olive oil

o ½ cup maple syrup/honey

o 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

o 2/3 cup dried fruit of your choice (optional) 

Method:

1.   Preheat oven to 175 Celsius and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

2.   In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts and/or seeds, salt and cinnamon. Stir to blend.

3.   Pour in the oil, maple syrup and/or honey and vanilla. Mix well, until every oat and nut is lightly coated. Pour the granola onto your prepared pan and use a large spoon to spread it in an even layer.

4.   Bake until lightly golden, about 21 to 24 minutes, stirring halfway (for extraclumpy granola, press the stirred granola down with your spatula to create a more even layer). The granola will further crisp up as it cools.

5.   Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed (at least 45 minutes). Top with the optional dried fruit. Break the granola into pieces with your hands if you want to retain big chunks, or stir it around with a spoon if you don’t want extra-clumpy granola.

6.   Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks, or in a sealed freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. The dried fruit can freeze solid, so let it warm to room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe adapted from Cookie & Kate.