Homemade Granola

Full of dried fruits, nuts, sweetened with honey,

this granola is perfect for breakfast.

I like mine with yogurt! Also makes a great snack.

Homemade Granola

4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

2 cups nuts

(sliced almonds, walnuts, pecan pieces)

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup good honey

4 1/2 cups of dried fruit combonation

(small diced dried apricots*, figs, dried cherries, craisins, banana chips,

trail mix blend also works well)

1 cup roasted lightly salted cashews (add at the end)

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Toss the oats, coconut, and nuts (except for the cashews) together in a large bowl. Whisk together the oil and honey in a small bowl. Pour the liquids over the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated. Pour onto a 13 by 18 by 1-inch sheet pan.

Bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until the mixture turns a nice, even, golden brown, about 40-45 minutes.

Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool, stirring occasionally. Add the dried fruit combo and cashews. Store the cooled granola in an airtight container.

* This is my variation of a recipe I found. It called for dried apricots which I LOVE but the preservative used is a sulfate that many of us find as an asthma trigger so read your label and use other fruit if it may be a problem for anyone you may be serving. The original recipe called for 2 cups sliced almonds. I used a combination of almonds, pecans & walnuts to make the 2 cups.