Friday flavor: Sticks to your ribs granola

Kate's at it again! This time with a delicious granola recipe! I am actually headed out on Sunday to enjoy the lovely weather on a hike out in the gorge. I am going to try to make a batch of this for the trip. Sounds yummy and should keep me going all day long!!  Enjoy the weekend!

Sticks to your ribs granola

I have heard more excitement this week about fall that I heard last year about Christmas and summer combined!  The blogs and Facebook are blowing up with banter about new wardrobes, cups of tea, slippers, apples and crisp sunshine.  People are totally amped for the new season!  So, this week's recipe is the perfect snack for you to take along with you as you don the fleece and head out to enjoy what the season has to offer!  Whether it's an apple picking adventure, a hike in the woods or in a lunchbox, this is a healthy, cheap and flavorful treat that beats out the grocery store version every time! 

What you need: 

2 cups rolled oats

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (buy it whole - now's the time!  It's totally worth it; you will use it all season long.  When you grate it fresh it makes all the difference!)

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon vegetable oil

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (I know the pure is more expensive, but if you can spring for it you will notice the difference.  Especially in a recipe like this where it stands out as a flavor.  Try to avoid the artificial stuff at all cost!)

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

2/3 cup slivered almonds or chopped hazelnuts or peanuts - whatever you like!

1/3 cup raisins (dark or golden - TIP: before you start the recipe, soak the raisins in hot water for 10 minutes to recharge their "plumpness")

2/3 cup dried fruit - whatever you like!  Try apples, mangoes, pineapple, cranberries, etc. 

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

In a large bowl, toss the oats with the cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.

In a medium bowl, stir together the oil, honey, brown sugar, and vanilla.  Whisk until completely combined. 

Pour the honey mixture over the oats mixture and use your hands to combine them - gather up some of the mixture in each hand and make a fist.  Repeat until all of the oats are coated with the honey mix.  

Pour onto the prepared baking sheet.  Spread out evenly, but leave a few clumps here and there for texture.  Bake for 15 minutes, add nuts and flip the granola, bake for an additional 10 minutes.  Remove from the oven and toss in the dried fruit.  Once cooled, store in an airtight container.  You will have granola for the month!  

Hope you think it is as delicious as I do!  Have a great weekend!