Granola

Ever wonder why granola is so expensive?  I have.  Now you can make it for as cheaply as you want (depending on what you add).  I've been looking for a good recipe for a while, and now I've found one!  I've made it quite a few times.

Mix and Match Granola

“Anyone looking to curb their addiction to cold cereal really needs look no further than this granola recipe. I never thought I’d give it up, having eaten it almost every day for 26 years, but the granola made the road to recovery a short one indeed.  I quit cold turkey and have been clean for over two weeks thanks to this stuff—more healthy, more filling, and LOTS cheaper.” -Andrew

Ingredients
4 cups rolled oats, wheat, or barley (any combination)
½ cup sunflower or sesame seeds
½ cup honey, maple syrup, or a thick syrup made with ½ cup brown sugar and 2-3 tablespoons water (I've used agave, honey, maple syrup)
¼ cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla and/or other extract
¾ cup raisins or other dried fruit (optional)
½ cup nuts (optional)
½ teaspoon salt
(Optional: unsweetened coconut, raw pumpkin seeds, flax seed, etc.)

Directions:
1. In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together except for the dried fruit. Set the dried fruit aside.
2. In another bowl mix the sweetener, oil and extract together.
3. Add the liquid to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. The liquids will be absorbed and the granola will become darker and shinier.
4. Spread the granola in a shallow baking pan. Bake at 325°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until fairly dry and starting to brown. Stir every ten minutes while it is baking to keep the granola on the bottom from burning.
5. Remove the granola from the oven and stir in the fruit.
Tips
1. Granola will become crispier and crunchier as it cools.
2. Because of the oil, granola will not stay fresh long. Store in an airtight container and use within two weeks. It will last for six months or longer in the freezer.