Granola

As many of you know, we have recently done an overhaul of our diet as we address some of Howie's medical needs.  Going completely "whole foods" has been a challenge.  We eat lots of weird stuff (thanks to my hubby for tolerating the experiments that turned out pretty yucky) and it's such a reward to this Momma when I find a recipe, modify it to be within Howie's acceptable food list and it turns out.... YUMMY!

Below is my recipe for granola that several people have requested.  My Dad's eyes even lit up when he ate it- a true indicator of culinary success.  You will see the modifications I make for Howie since I get requests for both versions.

Granola

Makes about 5 cups

Dry Ingredients:
4 cups Rolled Oats (I use gluten-free oats for Howie)
1 1/2 cups Sunflower Seeds (I omit the seeds for Howie)
1/2 cup Brown Sugar or coconut sugar
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon

Wet Ingredients:
1/2 cup Olive Oil
1/2 cup Honey or Agave Nectar
(And 1/4 cup coconut oil for Howie's version)
2 teaspoons vanilla

Preheat oven to 300 degree.  Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.  In a small pot, heat the oil and honey until warm.  Whisk in the vanilla.  Pour the wet mixture over the dry and toss to coat.

Spread mixture in a cookie sheet pan.  Bake at 300 for 30 minutes, turning the granola every 10 minutes.  After 30 minutes, pull the cookie sheet from the oven and let the granola cool.  After cooling, you can add raisins, dried cherries, chocolate chips, whatever you want to enhance the granola experience for yourself.

Howie's favorite version is the finished granola mixed with "chocolate sauce" which is agave nectar and cocoa mixed together until wet.  Put it in the freezer for an extra special treat.  Yum!

(Yes, that is chocolate on his face)