Homemade Granola...

...was easier than I thought. I searched the internet over to find an easy recipe. There are many out there. I really liked this one I found derived from "Baked: New Frontiers in Baking" by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito. I changed it around to suit my needs and this is what I came up with:

Easy Granola

• 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon good vanilla extract (as Ina Garten would say)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. In large bowl, combine the oats with cinnamon, salt and brown sugar. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, honey and vanilla extract. Pour honey mixture over the oats and stir to combine really well. Spread the mixture onto the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes then using a spatula, flip the granola and spread back out evenly. Bake for 5-10 minutes more, you will start to smell this and it smells so GOOD!!! The granola will begin to turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and using your spatula, flip and mix the granola again and spread out evenly on the cookie sheet. As it cools, it will harden. Periodically check it. I stirred it around some and left some clumped up for more crunch. After it has cooled completely, store in an air tight container for 1 week. Try this on yogurt, as cereal or as is...totally yummy!