I have never been keen on granola, but once I tried this homemade version, I am hooked!
Since discovering the high iron content of dried fruits and nuts, I was inspired to whip up another batch tonight. It is quick and easy, and has none of the additives found in the store bought versions. It does pack some calories, so use it as I do: as a topping for plain Greek yogurt and fruit.
Here is the ultimate “unrecipe”. Use this as a guideline and tailor it to suit your taste.
Homemade Granola:
Mix together 2 cups of old fashioned rolled oats (dry oatmeal), 1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut, 1 cup of slivered almonds, ¼ cup vegetable oil, and about ¼ cup of honey. Stir to coat and pour onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees, stirring often until golden brown. This should take about 30 minutes. Watch it carefully: it goes from brown to burnt quickly!
Remove the granola from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Add diced dried fruit to taste. I used a combination of figs, apricots and cranberries. Dried cherries could be a nice addition too. You can also add some additional nuts, such as cashews or pecans. Sprinkle with a little brown sugar to sweeten, and mix well.
Store the cooled granola in an airtight container and enjoy!
Indigo jones 