Granola, Great for Your Get Up and Go

When you are in the snacking mood, grab this granola. 

I can't remember when granola became a staple in my house, but I think it was when oatmeal's health benefits became public knowledge.  Now I have a handful of it everyday.   Full of healthy grains like sunflower, sesame, flax seeds, wheat germ, dried fruit, nuts and more.  Combine one half cup granola with the same amount of plain yogurt for a delicious mid-morning snack. 




Colleen’s Granola

10 cups old fashioned rolled oats                  
1 cup wheat germ                                           

½ lb. shredded coconut                                   

2  cups raw sunflower seeds                       
1 cup sesame seeds                                       
½ cup flax seed                                     

In a large bowl combine the above ingredients.  Mix well.

In a saucepan combine the following ingredients:

1 cup oil
1 ½ cup brown sugar 
1 1/2 cup water                                                        
 ½ cup honey
 ½ cup molasses
  2 tsp each vanilla & cinnamon
  1 ½ tsp salt

Heat until sugar is dissolved, but do not boil.  Pour syrup over dry ingredients and stir until well-coated.  Spread into dripper pans or cookie sheets about ½ thick.  Bake 12 min @ 300 then stir and move to lower rack adding another tray on top rack and bake 12-15 minutes longer. Keep rotating the pans until they have baked about 25-30 min. Cool. Add 1-2 nuts,  raisins, craisins etc.  May also use raw peanuts, but must add to oat mixture and bake with mix.