I was asked for the granola recipe I use, so here it is. I found it somewhere on the web some time ago and have made it since -- this one really is good (mind you, I never make it the same way twice. I always substitute very liberally according to what's on hand and what I've gotten cheap (today it was sesame seeds, peanuts, and dried pineaple) and typically double the quantities, at least. But it always turns out well no matter WHAT I do....)


Good Granola Recipe

5 1/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick)
1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup untoasted wheat germ
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup oil
2/3 cup mild honey (or maple syrup)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease 9x13 baking dish.
2. Combine rolled oats, sunflower seeds, and wheat germ in dish; bake 10 minutes and remove from oven.
3. Add remaining dry ingredients (almonds through salt) to dish and stir to combine; add wet ingredients (oil through almond extract) and stir until completely combined.
4. Bake 18-20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until uniformly golden; granola will not be chunky yet, but will "harden up" as it cools. (Keep an eye on it, and do NOT overbake....)
5. Remove dish to rack and cool, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking to pan; store in airtight container.


(This recipe recipe doesn't call for raisins, but I personally think they, or any other chopped, dried fruit, makes a good addition (added after it's baked and cooled)....)