Maple Granola

from a Wonderland of Words

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups oats
• 1 cup chopped nuts (the granola in the picture has hazelnuts, but I often use walnuts, pecans or almonds)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• ¼ cup water
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup dried fruit (the granola in the picture has dried cherries, but I often use dried blueberries, cranberries, or raisins)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Toss the oats, nuts, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl.
3. Put the oil, maple syrup, and water in a small bowl and microwave for 1 minute.  Add the vanilla and almond extract.
4. Pour the wet ingredients over the oat mixture and toss to coat.   Spread out over baking sheet.  Bake for 25 minutes, stir to make sure it cooks evenly, and then bake another 25-30 minutes, or until granola is golden brown.   Sprinkle dried fruit over mixture and let cool completely.

Sweet and Sour Sauce

1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/3 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup ketchup ( I add more sometimes)
2 T flour or cornstarch mixed in a little water

Combine all ingredients except flour. Bring to boil. Add flour/water to thicken.