Homemade granola.

This recipe is truly so easy and turns out sooo good. It is adapted from this recipe that my Mom sent me a few months ago. You can easily adapt it yourself with your own ingredients - try adding different types of fruit or nuts or even chocolate. It turns out more chewy than crunchy (because it is cooked in the microwave) but is delicious as cereal, on top of yogurt, or just eaten plain!

Ingredients:

1 c. dried fruit or raisins (I used dried bing cherries)

3/4 c. sliced almonds

1 c. shredded coconut

3 c. old fashioned oats

1/2 c. ground flax (optional)

1/3 c. blue agave sweetener*

1/4 c. honey

1/4 c. vegetable oil

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Instructions:

In a large, microwave-safe bowl, mix honey, oil, agave syrup, and cinnamon. Microwave on high 1 1/2 to 2 minutes until boiling. Stir in vanilla. Add oats, coconut, almonds, and flax, and toss to coat. Microwave on high 6 minutes, stirring twice. Stir in fruit. Let mixture stand about 1 to 2 hours, stirring 2 or 3 times to break up until cool and crisp. Makes 6 cups. Keep in an airtight container.

*The original recipe calls for 1/3 c. brown sugar instead of agave syrup - I just changed it up to make it a bit healthier, but it is just as delicious with the sugar.