Homemade Granola

Granola offers such a power-packed nutritional boost to your day when prepared with the right ingredients.  Sadly, many supermarket granolas are filled with tons of oil and the healthy granolas that are available are often ridiculously priced.  This delicious granola is from a favorite Jamie Oliver recipe that I have adjusted. You can also top a yogurt & berry parfait with the granola or eat as a snack throughout the day.

2 cups quick cool oatmeal (but not instant)
1 heaping cup mixed nuts (I use almonds and pecans but feel free to use walnuts, hazelnuts, etc)
1/4 cup mixed seeds, unsalted (I add flax seeds but sunflower, pumpkin, sesame are also great)
3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups dried fruit (I generally use organic cranberries or raisins; try also apricots)
2 Tablespoons olive oil
4- 5 Tablespoons maple syrup, honey or agave nectar

Preheat oven to 350.  Put your dry ingredients (including coconut and cinnamon but not the dried fruit) in a big glass pyrex baking dish.  Stir well and smooth out.  Drizzle with your sweetener of choice and the olive oil and stir again.  Place in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.  Every 5 minutes or so, take the granola out and stir it, smooth it down again and put back into the oven.  While it's toasting, chop up your dried fruit if necessary (apricots, etc).    When the granola looks nice and golden brown, remove from oven, mix in the dried fruit and allow to cool.