Rain Rain Go Away!

It feels like it's been raining for the past two weeks straight here in the Big Apple.  I wake up this morning to yet another gloomy day. So gloomy that my 3 year old looked out the window and said "this weather makes me sad".  Well we decided to turn that frown upside down with some Maple Nut Granola from the cook book Clean Food. This recipe is great by itself or with almond milk, cold or warmed up a bit. You can also put a handful in your breakfast smoothie. It also makes your house smell amazing on a dreary day. 

Ingredients: 

4 cups rolled oats (I buy organic in bulk and always have them in my pantry)

2 cups brown rice cereal (I like erewhon brand)

1 cup toasted sunflower seeds (again, buy in bulk and always have them on hand, great to add to salads)

1 1/2 cups shredded dried unsweetened coconut

1 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup pecans,cashews, or walnuts

1 cup raisins

2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

3/4 cup canola oil

3/4 cup maple syrup

1 teaspoon  almond extract or vanilla

optional- handful of chocolate chips, white chocolate chips or peanut butter chips.

Directions:

Preheat oven 250 F

In a large bowl, mix together all dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, syrup and almond extract. Pour wet into dry and stir to coat. Pour granola into a 9x12 inch glass casserole, spread and push raisins into granola so they are not on top. Bake for 60 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and cool completely to set. When cool, slide out granola and store in an airtight container.