Hello faithful readers…
As we leave the Wintery weather behind us, it’s time to get outside and enjoy nature. You may find yourself wanting to take a hike through the woods… maybe around the trails here at YMCA Camp Ockaninckon!! Well, I have a simple and easy snack you can make at home and bring on the trail with you… home made granola.
I will preface this recipe as I always do… be creative, use your own likes and dislikes to create YOUR own special granola blend!!
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- 1 cup cashews
- 3/4 cup shredded sweet coconut
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup raisins
Directions
Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, and brown sugar.
In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, oil, and salt. Combine both mixtures and pour onto 2 sheet pans. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.
Remove from oven and transfer into a large bowl. Add raisins and mix until evenly distributed.
Now… here’s some ideas…
You can use dried cranberries instead of raisins OR 1/2 raisins and 1/2 cranberries!! Dried cherries??
You can change the nuts to all of one kind… or substitute one kind for peanuts or toasted hazelnuts or whatever you like. You may substitute some or all of the nuts for an equal amount of wheat germ. Sunflower seeds? Pumpkin seeds??
You can also substitute 1/2 of the total amount of maple syrup for honey. Add cinnamon? Vanilla?
Be creative and explore your inner Chef!!
Be good…
Chef Jason