Granola

Now this is a great way to start the day- oats and nuts mixed with a sweet syrup and baked until golden crispy.  I've met several moms that are shocked to find their kids like this homemade granola.  It has a great flavor so it's good plain or- my boys like it with milk or- my favorite is a fruit and yogurt parfait:

RECIPE

4 C. old fashioned oats

2 oz slivered almonds

2 oz chopped pecans

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1/3 C. honey

1/3 C. water

1/3 C. 100% pure maple syrup

1/4 C. Canola oil

2 BL brown sugar

* Preheat oven to 325.  In a large bowl, mix oats, nuts and cinnamon together and set aside.  In a medium sauce pan, bring remaining ingredients to a boil, stirring constantly.  Boil for one minute then remove from heat. Pour the syrup over the oat mixture and stir until everything is combined.  Spray a cookie sheet pan and spread the oats out until it's covered (you don't want big clumps-try to separate them as much as possible).  Bake for a total of 35 minutes- taking the pan out every 10 minutes and stirring the oats around so they won't burn.  (You'll do that 3 times.)  When done baking, move to a cooling rack, stir it around one more time, then let it cool completely.  Store in an air tight container up to 2 weeks.  

Tips:

• Do not use quick oats- it will turn out mushy.  I have found this turns out better using higher quality oats- most things I'll buy the store brand, but for granola I always use Quacker.
• 100% pure maple syrup is different than breakfast syrup.  It's usually at the top of the isle where the breakfast syrups are and is more expensive.  I've tried substituting breakfast syrup and didn't like it.  It's worth buying the pure stuff.  Don't worry- you'll make it again when you find your kids will eat it :)  
  
    (You can find it at Costco-it's a good price and will last a long time.) 
• You can also add dried fruit after the granola is done cooling.  I love dried apricots and craisins.