homemade {yum} granola

I am not a cereal fan at all

...but I love granola

and so does the rest of my family

...which makes store bought granola expensive

not to mention it's not that stellar!

That's why we make our own!

you'll need 3 cups of nuts and seeds

{I used 1 cup of each... almonds, walnuts & pumpkin seeds}

in separate bowls, cover them with water and soak overnight

use raw, organic, unseasoned whenever possible

8 cups of thick rolled organic oats

covered in water & 1 T. apple cider vinegar and soaked overnight

you'll also need 1 1/2-2 cups of pitted dates

{we love medjool dates, but any date, fig or raisin would work}

cover with 1 1/2 water and soak overnight

in the morning your oats will have absorbed most of the water and look puffy

...drain off the excess liquid and place in a large mixing bowl

your nuts will be plump and vibrant

...drain off excess liquid and chop if desired

I finely chopped the almonds and walnuts {don't over chop these or they will puree}

do not drain the liquid from your soaked dates

...add in 5 T. cinnamon

1 T. dried ginger

1/2 t. ground nutmeg

1/2 t. ground cardamom

1 T. vanilla extract

1/2 t. real salt

blend until it's a smooth paste

add all of your chopped nuts and date paste together

...and MIX

and when your arm is tired

pass the bowl and let someone else mix {grin}

when it's all mixed spread it out in a thin 1/4 in. thick layer

I use my awesome Excalibur dehydrator

dehydrate at 115 or below for 10-24 hours depending on humidity in your climate

{you could also use your oven on it's lowest heat setting... above 118 the heat will break down the enzymes and it will no longer be a "living" food}

once it's dried...

remove it from the sheets and break it up into pieces

and store in a air tight container.

Now you can add in dried fruits like cranberries, goji berries, mango or cherries

{if possible try to use organic, unsulfured and unsweetened dried fruit}

This makes about a gallon ziplock bag full or approx 4-5 store bought boxes of granola

Enjoy!