Alton Brown's Granola

I know it is junk Food Friday and you expect me to go for pizza or nachos; but, it is Lent and in Western PA the fish sandwich rules!  We are doing take-out for sandwiches tonight.  Don't despair, I did make a recipe today to share.  Our granola jar was empty.  I have mentioned before that I like to make most of our snacks.  Homemade granola is crunchy, nutty, sweet, salty and can have just about anything in it you like.  What it doesn't have is preservatives, all those bad oils and excess salt. I like junk food; really like it, but you have to be smart about what you are paying for.  A handful in your yogurt, a cup in the afternoon when you need a pick-me-up, or just a decadent little evening treat-this granola is perfect, I promise.

Alton Brown's Granola
printable recipe

3 c. rolled oats
1 c. slivered almonds
1 c. cashews
3.4 c. shredded sweet coconut (I didn't have any on hand, so I left it out)
1/4 c. plus 2 T. dark brown sugar
1/4 c. plus 2 T. maple syrup (yes those extra 2 T. matter)
1/4 c. vegetable oil (I used canola.  It is clean and healthy without an oily taste)
3/4 tsp. salt
1 c. raisins
(I had some mini chocolate chips left from the St. Pat's muffins that I tossed in as well)

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
In a large bowl combine the oats, coconut, nuts and brown sugar.

Whisk the syrup, oil and salt together.

Toss the dry and wet together until all is well coated.

Spread onto 2 baking sheets.

Bake for 1-1/2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes.
Pour into a large bowl and stir the raisins into the mix.

Again, you will be hooked on the crunch, the salt and the slight sweet.  Guilt free snack.  And you know exactly what you are eating :)