Sour Cherry Granola

The San Francisco Bay Area is a mecca for the slow food movement, the home of counter culture, and the foundation of much social justice resistance, including the birthplace of The Black Panthers.  Growing up there in the 80s and 90s, I am no stranger to what could be called "hippie food.”

The quintessential hippie food, granola, has always been something that was a part of my diet. I always loved the sweet, nutty oat clusters. Had I known that this was one of the easiest and tastiest things I have ever made, I would have stopped buying granola ten years ago!

This Sour Cherry Granola is easily adaptable to your tastes, by substituting different nuts, adding a bit of maple syrup, or using different dried fruit like apricot. Make this your own and embrace your inner guru! Recipe adapted from Epicurious.

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 cups of old fashion oats

  • 1 cup of mixed nuts coarsely chopped

  • 1/2 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut

  • 3 TBS of brown sugar

  • 3/4 TSP of ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 TSP of ground ginger

  • 1/2 TSP of ground clove

  • 1/3 cup of honey

  • 2 TBS of vegetable oil

  • 1/2 cup of dried sour cherries

  • 1/2 cup of raisins

PREPARATION

  • Preheat oven to 315 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  • Mix first 8 ingredients in a large bowl.

  • Stir honey and oil in saucepan over medium-low heat until smooth. Pour honey mixture over oat mixture; toss. Spread on prepared sheet.

  • Bake until golden, stirring every 10 minutes, about 40 minutes. (Note: Do not skip this step! You must stir once every ten minutes.)

  • Once done baking, stir granola and cool. Add dried fruit and mix. Store in an airtight container. Make up to a week ahead.

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