TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . .

Crunchy Granola

I've been making granola cereal for my husband for a long time.  He loves it very much.  It is really easy to make.  Once it's done, just put it in an airtight container and enjoy.  You can use it as cereal or in your yogurt.  Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

• 7 cups rolled oats, uncooked
• 1 cup flaked unsweetened cocnut
• 1 cup wheat germ
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1 cup diced pecans or walnuts
• 1 cup sunflower seeds, raw or toasted
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 5 cups mixed dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, cherries, diced pineapple, diced apricots, chopped dates, or the mixture of your choice)

In a very large bowl, combine the oats, coconut, wheat germs, nuts, and seeds.  Mix well.  In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, salt maple syrup, and vanilla.  Pour over the dry mixture in the bowl, stirring and tossing till everything is very well combined; a spoonula or large stirring spoon will work well.

Spread the granola on a couple of large lightly greased baking sheets; a half-sheet pan is ideal.  Bake in a preheated 250 F oven for about 90 minutes, stirring the mixture with a heatproof spatula, spoonula, or turner every 15 minutes or so.  You want to bring the granola at the edge in towards the middle, so it all browns evenly.  And reverse the baking sheets in the oven (top to bottom, bottom to top) each time you stir.

When the granola is a light to medium golden brown, remove it from the oven and cool completely on the pans.  Transfer the granola to a large bowl, and mix in the dried fruit.  Store in a tightly closed container at room temperature for several weeks; freeze for extended storage.

Yield about 18 cups, about 4 1/4 pounds of granola.