Tropical Granola

I wrote down the ingredients on a yellow slip of paper while I was making up this recipe. I have no friggin clue where that yellow slip of paper is now; most likely found it's way into the recycle bin and is floating around a recycling center somewhere. So I will try to remember everything that I put into it.

Here goes:

Tropical Granola
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup flax seed
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/4 cup chopped dried pineapple
1/4 cup chopped dried mango
1/3 cup dried banana chips (crushed)
1/8 cup chopped candied ginger
1/4 cup shredded coconut
2 Tbs water
2 Tbs. dark brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup maple syrup
3 Tbs. flavorless oil, such as vegetable or canola

Adjust oven rack to middle position, and heat oven to 275 degrees. Coat a 9-by-13-inch metal pan with cooking spray, then set aside. Mix everything except nuts, dried fruit and coconut together in a bowl.

Bring syrup, oil, water and any flavorings and spices to a simmer in a saucepan over low heat. Drizzle over oat mixture, and stir to combine. Pour mixture onto prepared pan. Working a handful at a time, squeeze cereal to form small clumps. Bake for 30 minutes.

Stir in dried fruit, nuts and coconut. Continue to bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes longer. Let cool.

Shove in your face by the handful.

Rating = So Damn Good