Home made Granola

Easy and Yummy, I am not a big one for granola but my friend Dianna shared this recipe for me and I must say it is wonderful! I have made some changes from the original, so feel free to customize it to your taste.

3 c rolled old fashioned oats
1 c sliced almonds
3/4 c shredded coconut
1/4 c wheat germ
1/4 c oat bran
1/3 c dark brown sugar
1/4 c oil
1/4 c maple syrup
1/4 c honey or agave
1 tsp salt
1 c dried cranberries
1/2 c chopped dried apricots, pears or mixture of both
1 c white, milk or dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 250
Mix oats, almonds, coconut, wheat germ, oat bran and brown sugar in large bowl
In another bowl whisk together oil, honey, syrup and salt.
Pour over mixture, stir well and place in 13 X 9 pan and bake 1 hour 15 min. stirring every 15 min.
Remove and cool on wax paper. When completely cool place in large bowl, add fruit and chocolate chips, Break up any large pieces and mix well.

 Sweet Tooth Friday

Spinach Strawberry Salad

Tear 12 c spinach

add 1 quart cored slice strawberries

3-4 peeled sliced kiwi

3 sliced green onions

Dressing

1/3 c sugar (sugar substitute works well also) or you may omit sugar

1/4 c raspberry vinegar

1/4 c oil

1/4 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce

2 Tbs toasted sesame seeds*

2 Tbs poppy seeds

Mix well , toss until salad coats evenly

*to toast sesame seeds, place in non stick pan with no oil or spray over med heat until seeds turn golden

Black Bean Salsa

 3 cans black beans- drained and rinsed

1 c Italian dressing

1  c sliced green onions

1-4 chopped tomatoes

1 md green pepper chopped

chopped seeded jalapeno peppers (to taste) or cayenne pepper

1 Tbs hot pepper sauce

1 Tbs worcestershire sauce

salt pepper
1/2 tsp cumin

1 tsp oregeno

3 cloves minced garlic

Mix all ingredients together, serve with tortilla chips or use as a condiment.