granola is where it's at

i have noticed that some bloggers segment their blogs into nice categories. the old back forty is so jumbled up, that i'm going to try and post recipes separately (as much for myself as anything, since i rarely write them on cards in the proper way).

my first recipe is for homemade granola, from a 3M cookbook circa 1980, the year i graduated from high school. my dear aunt elizabeth started giving me these books as gifts, and i still turn to them quite abit. i have always loved granola, but never tried to make it. i actually veer from this recipe quite frequently, am convinced the secret to its goodness is the use of canola oil, and keeping the exact amount of CUPS of dry ingredients, but altering the quantity of each depending on what you are in the mood for (for instance, i never put in 2 cups of wheat germ, in fact, it's just as good with 2 extra cups of oatmeal).

Granola

Mix together in large bowl:
4 c. oatmeal
2 c. wheat germ
1 c. almonds
1 c. chopped walnuts
1 c. sunflower seeds

In separate bowl, combine:
3/4 c. canola oil
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. water
2 t. vanilla

Mix and add to dry ingredients, stirring well. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour in two 9x13 cake pans. Stir every 15 minutes. When cool, add your favorite dried fruit or raisins.