Granola

Now and then I post a recipe on this site instead of Martha's Kitchen Korner and Martha's Recipes  because this recipe will be going to Mary Kennedy, Author of Dead Air.  Mary sends goodie packages to a unit in Iraq.  And for the month of April she will be sending 20 lbs. in honor of Carolyn Hart's 20th book Laughed 'Til He Died.  Mary and Carolyn are calling their endeavor Hart to Heart and I for one think it's a wonderful act of love.  So, here is my Granola recipe that you too can enjoy.  (If you would like to correspond with this unit, go to Facebook and type in Support the 389th Regiment.  I'm sure they would love to hear from you.  And while there, make sure you check out their pictures.)

4 1/2 cups old fashioned oats, uncooked
1/3 cup chopped nuts
1 cup coconut
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup cranberry juice
1 pkg (6 oz.) cranberries & raisin mix

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine oats, nuts, coconut, spices and salt in a large bowl.  In a small bowl whisk together the maple syrup and cranberry juice.  Pour over oat mixture and stir to coat thoroughly.  Spread in an even layer on a VERY LARGE baking dish or 2 large baking dishes (you want the layer to be as thin as possible.)  Bake 30-40 minutes or until golden brown, stirring 2-3 times during baking time.  Let cool and add raisins and cranberries. 

You can change your granola by adding about 1/2 cup of chocolate chips while it's still hot (that's what I've done in the picture above).  You can mix in salted nuts for a salty/sweet taste.  Use orange or apple juice instead of cranberry.  Use yogurt covered raisins or instead of maple syrup use honey.