Granola

Ingredients

• 2 cups regular rolled oats
• 1/2 cup coconut
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped slivered or sliced almonds, or chopped peanuts
• 1/2 cup sunflower nuts
• 1/4 cup sesame seed
• 1/2 cup honey or maple-flavored syrup
• 1/3 cup cooking oil

Instructions

1. In a bowl stir together rolled oats, coconut, almonds or peanuts, sunflower nuts, and sesame seed. In another bowl combine honey or syrup and oil; stir into oat mixture. Spread mixture evenly into a greased 15x10x1-inch baking pan.
2. Bake in a 300° oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring after 20 minutes.
3. Remove from the oven and immediately turn out onto a large piece of foil. Cool, then break into clumps. Store in tightly covered jars or plastic bags at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, seal in freezer bags and freeze.
4. Microwave directions: In a 2 1/2-quart bowl combine oats, coconut, almonds or peanuts, sunflower nuts, and sesame seed. Combine honey syrup and oil; stir into oat mixture. Micro-cook on 100% power (high) for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring every 2 minutes for the first 4 minutes, then every minute. Immediately turn out onto a large piece of foil. Cool, then break into clumps. Store in tightly covered jars or plastic bags at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, seal freezer bags and freeze.
5. Apple-Cinnamon Granola: Prepare as above, except reduce rolled oats to 1 1/2 cups. Stir 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon into honey-oil mixture. Just before serving, stir in 1 cup coarsely chopped dried apple. Makes about 7 1/2 cups (15 servings).
6. Raisin-Date Granola: Prepare as above except, after removing granola from the oven, stir in 1/2 cup raisins and 1/2 cup snipped pitted whole dates. Makes about 8 cups (16 servings).