Basic Granola

Time: About 45 minutes, mostly unattended
Servings: 10

4 c rolled oats
1 c unsweetened coconut flakes
1 c chopped nuts
4 Tbsp coconut oil or butter, softened
2 Tbsp honey, maple syrup, molasses, or sorghum syrup
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 c chia seeds
1/4 c ground flax seeds
Add in options such as chocolate chips, dried fruit, or fresh fruit

Preheat the oven to 350F.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, coconut flakes, coconut oil, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and extract. Stir until well-combined.

Spread the mixture onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes. Stir, and then bake another 10 minutes. Stir and check that the ingredients seem somewhat evenly toasted. If there are still patches of untoasted ingredients, return to the oven for another 5-10 minutes. Allow to cool completely. Pour into an airtight container. Add the chia seeds and ground flax. Shake to combine.

Add in options can be added at this point. Or leave the granola plain and choose add ins at each serving. Serve over yogurt or add milk for cereal.

Cherry Syrup

Time: 10 minutes

Servings: about 2 cups

Ingredients

1 lb fresh sweet cherries

1/2 c water

1 Tbsp sugar or 2-3 drops liquid stevia extract

1 Tbsp whole grain flour

Remove the stems and pits from the cherries. I remove pits by slicing all the way around the cherry, separating the two halves, and then taking out the pit with fingers or a strawberry hulling tool.

Whisk the water, sugar, and flour together in a saucepan. Add the cherries. Cook over medium high heat, stirring often, until the liquid thickens into a syrupy consistency. Remove from heat and serve warm over pancakes, French toast, or waffles. Also delicious in yogurt or ice cream.

Refrigerate leftovers.