Granola

What a better time to add something a bit special to your day than right in the morning, after that first sip of coffee. Granola is a lovely treat but the better the quality of the granola, the better it is at emptying your wallet.. I spent hardly anything to make this batch. One secret, hit up the bulk bins at your grocery store if you have the luxury, that really helps to make this an inexpensive treat. I also saved a little stash for my desk drawer that I'm going to toss some dark chocolate chips in with. Cause once 3:00 in the afternoon rolls around...

Maple Granola

3 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup unsweetened coconut
1 cup wheat bran
1 cup pecan pieces
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/3 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup golden raisins

In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In another bowl, combine the syrup, oil and salt. Pour over oat mixture and toss to coat. Spread into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan.

Bake at 250° for 70 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in raisins. Cool and store in an airtight container. Yield: 6 cups.

Feel free to mix up the ingredients too! For a richer granola, use melted butter instead of oil and instead of maple syrup you could use honey or agave nectar. Dried cherries instead of raisins, pumpkin seeds instead of sunflower seeds and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.. It will never get boring!