Ingredients:

• 6 cups rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup honey (or brown sugar)

Optional:  

• Sesame seeds and sunflower nuts.  

Add-ins (all optional, add after baking):

• 1 cup toasted wheat germ
• 1 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or cashews
• 1 1/2 cup raisins or diced dried mango or other dried fruits

Instructions:

1. Combine oats and coconut in a large bowl.  Mix together the water, oil, vanilla, salt, and honey.  Pour over the oats mixture and stir.  Stir in a sprinkle of sesame seeds and 1/2 cup sunflower nuts (unsalted), if desired.
2. Spread on rimmed cookie sheets.  
3. Bake at 275 degrees, stirring and switching on oven racks after 30 minutes, 15 minutes, and 15 minutes.  (Approximately one hour total cooking time.)
4. Let cool.  Add wheat germ, nuts, and dried fruits.  (Or put them on the table with the granola and let each person choose how much to add.  This is what works best with my household of diverse tastes and allergies.)
5. Store in a tightly-closed glass container in the refrigerator.

Optional:  For Cinnamon Granola, substitute a tablespoon of cinnamon for the vanilla.

This recipe is gluten-free and can also be dairy-free if served with rice milk or other dairy-free alternative.

Try these with one cup whole wheat flour substituted for all-purpose flour for a heartier flavor.  You will never want to eat store-bought tortillas again!  (Unless, of course, you just don't have time for things like this.  In that case, teach your ten-year old to make them.)


3 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1/3 cup oil
1 cup warm water

Combine all ingredients until a soft dough forms.  Roll into a big ball and separate into one-inch balls.  
On a floured surface, roll each small ball out into a circle.  Place in a flat pan on the stovetop.  Cook until you see brown specks, then flip and do the same with the other side.

Pile them on a plate and watch your family devour them with their favorite taco fillings.  Or try them with melt-in-your mouth Lentil Brown Rice Burritos!