Scott’s Favorite Granola

Happy New Year!  May this year bring many wonderful times and memories to follow.  Scott and I have been preparing for the new year a bit and he mentioned he was out of granola.  After trying several different types of granola in stores and bakeries, this one is his favorite.  I make it about every two to three months and it’s never the same but always a granola he likes.  I use nuts he likes and ones that we have on hand, and instead of sesame seeds (they can get stuck in your teeth), I use pepitas and sunflower seeds.  The original recipe came to me from Kym Teppo, a lovely woman I used to volunteer with by taking kids out on hikes.  There’s room for some personalization with this one and in part how this has become Scott’s favorite.

Scott’s Favorite Granola

2 1/2 cups oats

1/4 cup pepitas

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

2 1/2 cups three types of chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, and hazelnuts are some favorites)

1/4 cup grapeseed oil

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 tablespoon vanilla

2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1/8 teaspoon cardamom

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsweetened, flaked coconut

1/2 cup raisins

Mix oats, seeds, and nuts in a large bowl.  In a separate bowl, combine remaining ingredients, except dried fruit, and heat in microwave for 30 seconds.  Toss liquid mix with dry ingredients.

Spread on baking sheet and bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes, stirring once.  (I set the timer for 10 minutes, stir, then bake for another 10 minutes.)  Add dried fruit and cool.

Sweet Note:  I use the food processor to chop the nuts.  In the photographed granola, I used macadamia nuts, almonds, and cashews for the three types of nuts.