I saw this recipe on finslippy's blog for the first time. It is in Mark Bittman's, How to Cook Everything" book. Mark Bittman is my kitchen boyfriend. I refer to his book two or three times a week. That book, it's my kitchen bible.
The first time I made the granola I thought it was going to be a one shot deal. It was a winter weekend and I thought it would be a good treat. I have made this granola twice a month (or more often) for six months now. Vanilla or plain yogurt drizzled over a small bowl of this eaten for breakfast will hold you all morning. Sprinkled on ice cream, it's divine!
Kath's version of Mark Bittman's Crunchy Granola
6 cups rolled oats (not quick-cooking or instant). (Sometimes I mix it up with some kamut flakes or other weird flakes from the health food store.)
2 cups mixed nuts and seeds (I always use almonds, walnut pieces, pecan pieces, sunflower and pumpkin seeds - cashews*)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 cups chopped dried fruit (raisins and dried cranberries, cherries, prunes, apples, pears, peaches and dates - I use any variation of these).
2 slices of candied ginger diced as small as possible.
Preheat the oven to 350
Mix the oats, nuts, spices, honey and maple syrup.
Spread onto a cookie sheet.
Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring carefully and often (every five minutes or so).
You'll know it is done when it is nicely toasted.
In the meantime, chop the larger pieces of dried fruit.
When the oat nut mixture is cooked, let it cool in the pan on a rack for a few minutes and then combine it in a big bowl with the fruit. I stir it occasionally for the next little while just to let it cool evenly.
Stores in the fridge indefinitely.
You won't buy commercial granola again.
I buy all the ingredients in bulk at the health food store in large amounts so that I have them on hand when I need to make this. I store the nuts in the freezer.
Enjoy!
Kath
*Cashews - not very often on hand in my kitchen because I eat them. If you can keep them for recipes, by all means throw some in, they make a wonderful addition.
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