Holiday Gift Idea: Coconut-Ginger Granola!!

It's the middle of December and I'm still craving the amazing granola that my friend (and breakfast cook) Mariela whips up at Casa del Toro, a bed-n-breakfast in Santa Fe. I must have eaten the entire batch when I was there this past summer, I LOVE homemade granola SO MUCH!

Well, upon seeing bits of this and that stored away in baggies in my freezer and cupboards, I embarked on my own feeble attempt at a somewhat healthy breakfast option for us...

Here ya go. Leave out or change whatever you don't have, the beauty of home-made granola is the FLEXIBILITY!!

Change whatever you don't like or don't want to use. I'm not a fan of walnuts or molasses (though Mariela swears she uses them in HER granola, I somehow cannot taste them - who knows) but you won't find them in here - if you like them, feel free to add. Because I had so many odds and ends, this batch turned out pretty decadent with "extras" - not as awesome as Santa Fe, but still good.

Best of all? This makes an AWESOME Holiday Gift! Just stick it in a pretty jar!!!!

Enjoy.

Coconut-Ginger Granola

1/2 c coconut oil

1/2 cup brown sugar (or whatever granulated sweetener you like)

1/2 cup maple syrup (or agave or *gasp*honey)

2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. sea salt

5 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1 cup shredded coconut - I had some unsweetened, but it's harder to find; regular, sweetened would also work.

1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts

1/2 cup sunflower seeds (because that's what I had. Use whatever you like)

a tiny pinch of fresh grated nutmeg if you like that sort of thing, which I do

1/4 cup hemp seeds

1/2 cups oats, ground fine

2 cups raisins, dried cherries, dried goji berries or dried cranberries

1/2 cup finely chopped, candied ginger

1/2 cup chopped dried apricot

(toss dried fruits with a Tbsp superfine sugar to keep them from sticking together)

Put coconut oil, sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt into a large pot over low heat, and stir until sugar has dissolved.

Take pan off the stove, and stir in the nutmeg, hemp seeds and ground oats - mix well.

Add the 5 cups of oats and mix well. It'll take a while, you can drizzle in some orange or apple juice, a few drops at a time if it's REALLY dry (oats can vary in how dry they are...).

Spray one or two cookies sheets or jelly roll pans with cooking spray or the finest bit of oil...

Spread granola evenly onto pan(s). I pat it out flat but also "squeeze" it into little clumps because I like chunky granola. Do what you want...

Bake in a pre-heated oven at 325 for about 30 - 45 minutes, stirring about every 10-15 minutes, until evenly toasted and golden. Break up clumps if they are too big or not browning evenly. Keep your eye on the granola as it browns fast.

As soon as it comes out of the oven, mix in the dried fruits. It's important to mix them in while it's still hot - Mix well, but be careful, it'll be warm...

Allow to cool to room temperature, then store in an air-tight container.

Serve with soy milk, soy yogurt or crumbled over applesauce or chopped fresh fruit. Yum.