Homemade Healthy Granola

I adore making my own granola.  It is cheaper and healthier than buying it in the store - even buying it from the bulk bins!  The best part is that you can put anything you want in it.  Instead of simply using rolled oats, I like to use the rolled 5 grain cereal.  I also add puffed cereals to add bulk without adding many calories.  The density of the oats, honey/other sugars, and nuts and dried fruits are what makes most granola so high in calories.  The recipe below is one I whipped up this morning for breakfast.

Ingredients

3 cups of rolled 5 grain cereal (rye, wheat, oats, triticale)

3 cups of 7 grain honey puffed cereal (can use unsweetened or simply 1 kind of puff such as kamut)

1/3 cup wheat germ

1/3 cup oat bran

1/4 cup sliced almonds

1/4 cup diced dates mixed with 1 T flour

1.5 T of light brown sugar

2 t olive oil

1/4 c - 1/2 c water

Mix the first ingredients.  In a separate bowl, combine the light brown sugar, olive oil, and water.  Combine the two mixtures.  Add more water if necessary to make the mixture damp all over.  Bake on a cookie sheet for 30 mins at 300 degrees.

If you want clumpy granola - don't stir!  Watch it very carefully to ensure it does not burn.  If you do not want clumps, stir every 10 mins.

Take it out of the oven.  Stir it lightly and add in the diced dates.  Let cool completely before storing.  Will last 2-3 weeks in a cupboard.  Freezes very well!