Homemade Granola

Anyone who knows my mom knows she is one of the greatest cooks on the planet. The problem is, she has been cooking for so long she no longer uses recipes. Not using a recipe isn't really a problem for her, but it is for you when you eat one of her fantastic meals and want to recreate it.

For several years now, mom has been making her own granola cereal. Her granola is to die for!!!!!  Not only is the granola to die for, but the smell of her house the day of cooking the granola is insane, you want to lick the air! I honestly think the smell of cooking granola is on par if not better than freshly baked bread, and that says a lot!!

My mom and I were talking the other day about the breakfast burritos I had made and her granola came up in the conversation. I decided I wanted to give it a shot. If I make the granola, it will give Nolan a break from the burritos so hopefully he won't get sick of them!

Granola isn't the cheapest thing in the world to make because both nuts and dried fruit can be pricey, but with a Sams/Costco membership it ends up being lots cheaper than a regular grocery store. I will be able to use the same huge bags of pecans, craisins, etc for several batches. Cereal is almost $5 a box these days, so in the end granola really isn't more expensive, and it's much much better!!!

The ingredients.

Mix the oats with oil, honey, molasses (if using), coconut, and all nuts.

Once baked, add dried fruit. Notice the color change, nicely toasted!

Place in containers immediately, but leave lids off.

After several minutes put the lids on and flip upside down to cool completely.

Santi wanted to help taste test right away!

Kid approved! He ate every bite without ever looking up!

The milk changes colors as the oats soak which can mean only 

one thing, you have to drink the milk at the end!

Mom's recipe: This changed several times as mom remembered one thing or the other. She just dumps a little of this and a little of that. She is a true cook!

1 box old fashioned uncooked oats (not quick oats)
1 cup olive oil
1 cup honey
(sometimes she adds 1/4 cup molasses as well)
3/4 cup coconut (either sweetened or unsweetened)
walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds (any or all to taste, enough to cover well)
cranberries, raisins or craisins, dried cherries, apricots (any or all to taste)
*cinnamon sometimes

Preheat oven to 350
Stir together all ingredients except fruit
Bake 30 minutes

Stir & bake another 15-25 minutes (depending on desired toastiness) in 5 minute increments stirring each time.

Remove from oven, stir in fruit and place in storage containers immediately (without lids).
Once somewhat cooled (approximately 10 minutes) put lids on and flip containers.
Cool to room temperature.
Freeze what will not be eaten in a few days.

Enjoy!!