Photo #295/365: Granola

I made granola today.  I love this stuff with vanilla yogurt.  The only problem with it is, once you start making your own, you can no longer stand to eat commerially made granola.  My recipe is from Alton Brown, and it's really easy.  I vary it, depending on which nuts I choose to use.  Today I used dried cranberries instead of raisins.

Granola

Ingredients
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup slivered almonds (I actually put in whole almonds this time.)
1 cup cashews
3/4 cup shredded sweet coconut
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup (I used light syrup.)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins (I used dried cranberries.)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

In a bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, 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 raisins and mix until evenly distributed.

Instead of cookie sheets, I use an old roasting pan.  I am a messy cook, and this keeps the granola in the pan. Then I just let it cool in there.

You can see the original recipe on the Food Network website.

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