Granola!  What could be better first thing in the morning than oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, raisins, dates and sesame seed all bound together in a honey glaze? It’s ridiculously simple and, as an added bonus, it’s good for you!! Easy and good for you, what more could you want? Any dried fruit can be substituted for the apricots and cherries. Raisins and dates work well or any of your favorites.  Don’t like almonds?  Use another nut. Macadamias come to mind.

You can see this on Thursday, April 7 on Great Day St. Louis, Channel 4 in St. Louis at 9:00.

Granola
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1 cup sliced almonds
5 cups of old fashioned oatmeal (not instant)
3/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees. Place the sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and almonds on a baking sheet each in their own column. Toast for 5 to 9 minutes depending upon what it is. Remove them as each of the items are toasted and place in a large bowl.   Add the oatmeal and salt. Leave the oven on. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray well. Set aside.

Glaze
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup water

Mix all together. Pour over the dry mix in the bowl and mix to coat completely. If you decide to do this with your hands and don’t have vinyl gloves, oil your hands.

Place the mixture on the prepared baking sheet spreading it out flat. Bake about 15 to 18 minutes, just until lightly browned. Cool completely without disturbing.

Final Assembly
1/2 cup apricots
1/2 cup dried cherries

When the granola is cool, break into clumps and stir in the fruit.

Store in an airtight container.

Yield: 12 cups, about 36 ounces or 1020 grams.