nuts & seeds

I used to make granola all the time.  I realized the other day that I hadn't made it in ages...so Rowan and I whipped up a batch during Charlie's nap today.  It is as good as I remembered!

The recipe is my own but it started as a combo of the granola recipe in Feeding the Whole Family (love that cookbook) and my friend Karen's recipe.  I use a lot of "or" statements in the recipe...the main reason for this is that I use whatever ingredients I happen to have at home.  We are big nut & seed eaters in this house so we always have something.  Also, if I happen to be out of something (like coconut or pumpkin seeds), I just leave it out and add another type of seed or nut instead.  No matter what I use, it always comes out great!  My favorite way to eat it is on top of lowfat yogurt with a tiny bit of maple syrup.

Love Granola
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans or a mix (chopped)
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup hemp or sesame seeds
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup orange or apple juice
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp orange or almond oil (I definitely prefer orange)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, nuts, seeds, coconut, flour, cinnamon, and salt; stir well.  In a separate bowl, combine syrup, oil (you may have to heat the coconut oil up a bit), juice, and extracts.  Add wet ingredients to dry and mix thoroughly.  Spread onto a baking sheet and bake for 30 - 40 minutes (until dry & golden), stirring every 15 minutes.  Sometimes I'll add in raisins, dates, or cranberries after it has cooked.