Gift of Simplicity: Maple Nut Granola

Maple Nut Granola

In a large bowl combine:

4 Cups Old-Fashioned Oats

1 Cup Chopped Pecans -or- Walnuts

1 Cup Chopped Cashews

1/3 Cup Toasted Sesame Seeds -or- Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas) (buy the Sesame Seeds in the Asian section--already toasted and cheaper!)

1 Cup Dried Cranberries -or- Dried Cherries, Blueberries or Raisins, or a combo of them all!

1 Cup 3/8-inch Diced Dried Apricots

2 teaspoons Cinnamon

1 teaspoon Salt

And toss well.

In a separate bowl mix:

1/2 Cup Maple Syrup

1/3 Cup Honey

1/4 Cup Melted Butter

Pour over the Oat mixture and stir to combine. Spread Granola on two large rimmed baking trays. Bake at 300* for 30 minutes or until Oats are toasty brown, stirring twice to cook evenly. Cool one hour. Transfer to airtight containers for storage. Makes 8 cups.

This is super yummy--you will want to double the recipe! Stir it into yogurt, sprinkle over fresh fruit, use it as a topping for baked apples, or my favorite way, cook with an equal amount of water as for oatmeal and serve as a hot cereal. (It's so good this way that I've been having it for breakfast AND lunch!)

"Show me Thy ways, O LORD; teach me Thy paths.

Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me;

for Thou art the God of my salvation;

on Thee do I wait all the day."

Psalm 25: 4 & 5