Healthy Snacking

I was having one of those irresistible sweet craving today. So, I went over my kitchen cabinet for ingredients that I can use to make something simple yet really healthy. My heart jumped for joy when I found a jar of oatmeal, a couple of boxes of dried fruits (raisins and apricot), some unsalted sunflower seeds in a plastic bag as well as some shredded coconut. All that was missing were honey and brown sugar and I was ready to make me a snack. Yes, I found them also.

GRANOLA is a breakfast food and snack food consisting of nuts, rolled oats mixed with honey, or other natural ingredients. The mixture is baked until crispy. During the baking process the mixture is stirred to maintain a loose, breakfast cereal like consistency. Dried fruit, particularly raisins or dates, are sometimes also added. But feel free to try other dried fruits that you like.

INGREDIENTS:

6 cups rolled oats
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup dried apricot
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup honey
1 cup margarine (or vegetable oil)
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
pinch salt

Procedure:

Preheat the oven at 375*F

In a large bowl, toss together oats, shredded coconut, sunflower seeds, cinammon and salt. Whisk in a separate bowl the brown sugar, honey, softened margarine and vanilla extract. Mix well into the bowl of oat mixture. Spread this mixture in a baking sheet and bake stirring constanty until golden brown for about 25 to 30. Add the raisins and chopped apricots and allow to cool.