



In general, I'm pretty wary of store bought granola. It tends to be very high in calories and bad fats. I find I can make my own granola at home with wholesome ingredients, and it's so much tastier.

You may notice that I include a bit of coconut in my granola. While it is a bit high in saturated fat and calories, it is a whole plant food - and I suspect it's fine in moderation. If you don't agree, you can substitute any chopped nut or whole seed for the coconut AND add in a 1/4 teaspoon of coconut extract.

This granola is great as a topping for yogurt, sorbet, smoothies (Jamba Juice style), and even oatmeal. It adds a nice zing!

Cozy Almond Coconut Granola

1 cup maple syrup

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups rolled oats

1/3 cup silvered almonds

1/3 cup shredded coconut

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)

Preheat the oven to 300F

Mix the maple syrup and vanilla extract.

Pour the maple syrup mixture into a baking pan, and add in the remaining ingredients. Mix until the oats are well coated.

Cook for 25-35 minutes, stirring every 5-10 minutes until the oats are brown. Let cool completely and store in an airtight container.

Variations: Add in chopped any dried fruit after the granola is completely cooled.