Food Friday - Basic Granola

Happy Pioneer Day!

One of my favorite things to do on Pioneer Day is to go hiking. When you hike, you need granola (and trail mix). I thought it would be fun to share this recipe from the home storage recipes found here.

Ready?

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 C sugar
• 1 1/2 C water
• 6 T oil
• 1 1/2 t salt
• 10 C uncooked rolled oats

Directions:

1. In a pan, combine the sugar; water; oil; and salt.
2. Heat until the sugar is dissolved, but do not boil. This will make a syrup.
   
3. Put your oats in a large bowl.
   
4. Pour the syrup mixture over the oats and stir until well coated (add a little more rolled oats if you want it more dry).
5. Spread the oat mixture on cookie sheets about 1/2 inch deep.
6. Bake at 425 for 20-30 minutes (stir occasionally).
7. Bake up to 15 minutes longer for crunchier granola.
8. Makes 11 cups.
9. Store in airtight containers.

Bonus: How to assemble the most wonderful trail mix!

In a large bowl with a tight lid, combine:

• 2 C of the above granola
• 1 C of your favorite nut (almonds and walnuts are the best for you)
• 1 C of mixed nuts (you want to still get the surprise of a Brazil nut or the yumminess of a cashew).
• 1 1/2 C of raisins
• 1 1/2 C of yogurt covered dried cranberries
• 1 bag of dark chocolate peanut M&Ms

(You can also add pretzels if you want.)

Put the lid on tight and shake, shake, shake.
Store in Ziploc bags. You can freeze this for up to a year (probably more).