Harvest Granola

I sometimes consider if there is a GAA (granola addicted annonymous) group that I should be looking into.  It's a serious problem ... I think I consumed my weight in dried cranberries and rolled oats over Christmas, because I had made this as a gift for a few people, and ended up eating 75% of the jar I presented to my mom.

Shamefulness aside, I would like to share a yummy, super easy solve for the high priced granolas you might find at Whole Foods or in the cereal aisle.  In true fashion - measuring is just a guideline.  Put in as much or as little as you like.  Substitute.  Mix it up!

Unlike the boxed and bulk versions, fresh is best!  Nothing beats crispy delicious granola fresh from the oven.

Harvest Granola

3 cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

(bought in bulk for 89 cents/lb at Whole Foods - can't beat it)

handful of Flax Seeds

1/2 cup Wheat Bran

handful or 2 of Wheat Germ

1 cup Almonds

1 cup Walnuts

3/4 cup Shredded Coconut or Coconut Flakes

(I use unsweetened from Trader Joe's or Whole Foods)

1/3 cup Agave Nectar

2 Tbsp Canola Oil

Raisins

Dried Cherries

Dried Cranberries

Dried Blueberries

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

Combine oats, wheat bran, wheat germ, flax seeds, almonds, walnuts and coconut in large bowl.  Stir in Agave Nectar and oil.  Mix until evenly coated and crumbly.  Spread out on parchment paper in a large sheet pan with a bit of a side to it to prevent overflow and spillage when stirring.  Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes or so.  Remove from the oven and toss in raisins, cranberries and blueberries.  I use about 2 cups all together - eyeball it and add as much or little as you like.  You can pull out ingredients you don't like, or add in ones you do (chocolate chips, cinnamon, pumpkin seeds, etc).