Servings: Makes 40 servings (Each is 1/2 cup)
Start to finish: 50 minutes
8 cups toasted rolled oats (18-ounce container)
2 cups shelled pistachios (8-ounce bag)
1-2 cup pecans, roughly chopped or other favorite nut
2 cups raw pumpkin seeds (8 ounces)
1 cup packed sweetened dried coconut
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup light brown sugar or maple sugar
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups dried cherries (8-ounce bag)
2 cups dried cranberries or white raisins
2 cups candied ginger, cut into slivers
2 cups dried apricots cut into slivers, or other dried fruit as desired
Preheat the oven to 300 F.
In a very large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, granulated sugar, cinnamon and salt. Stir well to blend.
In a small saucepan, warm the maple syrup, brown sugar and olive oil over low heat, stirring gently, until the sugar is melted. Stir to combine the sugar and oil.
Pour over the dry ingredients. Stir over-and-over again to coat all the ingredients equally. Spread the mixture evenly on a piece of parchment paper set into a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until golden. (Note: You will need to check the granola and stir it, about every 15 minutes so that all of the ingredients are toasted and brown.)
Set a timer to go off halfway through the baking time, so that you can give the granola a good stir; this helps it to cook evenly. When it’s ready, remove the pan from the oven, and stir well — this will keep it from cooling into a hard, solid sheet — and cool completely.
When cool to touch, transfer the granola back to the very large bowl. Add the dried fruit and stir (or shake, if using a jar or bag) to mix. Store in an airtight container — storage jar, or re-closeable plastic bag.
Serve with yogurt, milk, honey and fruit, or eat straight up!
Nutrition information per serving: 308 calories; 112 calories from fat; 12 g fat (3 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 34 mg sodium; 45 g carbohydrate; 5 g fiber; 26 g sugar; 7 g protein.
Elizabeth Karmel, Associated Press
