Mrs. Gregory's Breakfast Granola

3 cups old-fashioned oats

1 cups unsweetened coconut

1/4 cups wheat germ

1/4 cups flax seed (whole seeds or meal)

1/2 cups chopped walnuts

1/2 cups slivered almonds

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup orange juice

1/8 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1 cup dried fruit (optional)

sunflower seeds (optional)

Combine oats, coconut, wheat germ, flax seed, and nuts; set aside.

In small saucepan combine butter, juice, honey and spices.  Cook and stir over medium heat for 3 minutes.  Pour over oat mixture and stir to coat.  Spread on parchment lined jelly-roll pans.

Back at 350 30-35 minutes, until golden brown.  Stir 3-4 times.  Cool and mix in dried fruit.  Store in an air tight container.

This recipe reminds me of the early mornings on the Gregory farm - rolling out of bed to be at the farm ready to go - was it by 5 am?  So early!  Spending the day driving through the beautiful countryside of Northern Michigan, from orchard to farm, orchard to farm.  This was the mid-morning snack - maybe over some yogurt and fresh fruit (with cherries perhaps), maybe just a handful at a time.  

The thing I love about making granola is that you can substitute and use what you have on hand.  No Wheat germ? throw in some bran.  Try oil instead of butter.  Use some brown sugar instead of all the honey.  It's so easy.