Granola for Tracy

We had family and friends visit from Canada this weekend. It was a busy one: into the City, shopping, cooking, out to dinner... I promised Tracy the recipe for granola and just ran out of time to write it down. So here you go Tracy, you guys should be pulling into Petrolia right about now!





Cinnamon Almond granola
(or really whatever kind you want)

2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup coconut
1/2 cup shelled sunflower or pumpkin seeds (unsalted)
1/4 cup flax seed, optional
1 cup whole unsalted almonds (or any nuts you like)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup water
3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
1/4 tsp. almond extract (optional)
1 cup dried fruit of your choice (cranberries, raisins, dates, apricots, currants...)

Preheat oven to 325 and spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, flax seed if using, coconut, sunflower or pumpkin seeds and cinnamon. Toss to mix evenly.

In a small pan, combine sugar, vanilla, water, oil, and almond extract. Bring to a boil. Pour over oat mixture and stir until evenly combined. Spread mixture evenly on baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Stir to break it apart and then bake another 12 minutes. Add the fruit and bake about 10 minutes more or until it starts to get a bit darker but not burned. Allow to cool completely on baking sheet and store in an airtight container.

Great over vanilla yogurt or with milk!