Crunchy Granola Folk

You may have seen the post awhile back that established that I am a bit of a tree hugger, but we aren't total tie-dye and incense hippie people. Birkenstocks, we can take 'em or leave 'em, but we do like granola. We like it enough to make it ourselves. But this is classy granola, because it is called

The Queen's Oats


Ingredients:
8 c. regular oats
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1 1/2 c. wheat germ
1/2 c. sesame or sunflower seeds
1 1/2 c. unprocessed bran
3/4 c. honey or maple syrup
1/2 c. oil
2 tsp. vanilla
optional: 1/2 c. coconut flakes, nuts

Stir to blend oats, sugar, wheat germ, seeds, bran, and optional ingredients.

Heat oil, honey, and vanilla, stirring until bubbling.

Thoroughly mix liquids with dry ingredients.
Divide between 2 greased 10" x 15" rimmed baking sheets.

Bake at 325 degrees for 15-20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove from oven and stir several times as it cools. Add raisins when cool if desired.

I would estimate that making a batch of granola costs about $6-8, but it makes quite a bit. And considering brands like Bear Naked granola run about $5 for a small bag, that's not bad. We eat it with yogurt and Keith likes putting the strawberries we froze on top. So there it is. We are the crunchy granola type.