Happy New Year!

Happy 2008!

The holidays flew by and I am now on my last few days of vacation - boo hoo. I did massive amounts of cooking over the break and in the next few posts I will share some of my menus and recipes. Each year I like to give away one gift that I craft up as well as one that I cook up. This year it was decorated straw slippers and jars of homemade granola. The granola kicked ass if I do say so myself. I think it is a keeper.

Danielle's Fruit and Berry Granola

5 c rolled oats

2 c shredded coconut

2 c sliced almonds

1 c shelled pumpkin seeds

1/2 c sesame seeds

3/4 c melted butter

2/3 c honey

3 t cinnamon

1 t nutmeg

1 c sliced, dried figs

1 c dried cherries

1c dried cranberries

1/2 c sliced, dried apricots

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Toss the oats, coconut, almonds and seeds together in a large bowl. Whisk together butter, honey and spices in another bowl. Pour over the oat mixture and stir until everything is coated. Add dried berries and fruit and stir again until fully incorporated. Pour mixture onto a baking sheet (you may need to divide between two sheets).

Bake, stirring every 5-10 minutes until the mixture turns golden brown (about 25 minutes). Remove from oven and allow to cool.