My Granola

I've been making homemade granola for about a year now.  It's SO easy.  I wanted granola that did not contain any bad oil or added sugar.  I consider coconut oil 'good' oil hence the distinction.  I could not find this in any store!  I hope to never purchase granola again.

My recipe is adapted from this Epicurious recipe:   http://www.epicurious.com/.../views/Everyday-Granola-359317.

Here's what I do - note you can substitute lots of other things, or remove an item you don't like - just keep the proportion of dry ingredients to liquid and spices about the same:

3 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup pecan pieces
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (impt to use unsweetened; I find it at Whole Foods or Sprouts)
1/4 cup pure maple syrup (I use grade B)
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground ginger
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup mixed dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, blueberries or other). 

Mix everything except for the dried fruit in a large bowl until moist. Spread onto cookie sheet (I did not use parchment paper) and bake at 250 degrees for 90 minutes.  You can bake at 300 for 40 minutes, but then you need to stir it around every 10 minutes.  I prefer to just let it bake untouched.

I usually add raw pepitas, sunflower seeds and walnuts - I just sub out for some of the oats or add a little more.  I also use gluten free oats - Trader Joe's sells them now!