Chocolatey Granola
4 cups old-fashioned (not quick) oats
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
2/3 cup pumpkin seeds
1 1/3 cups of semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup dry milk powder (optional)
1/2 cup whole almonds
1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
1/3 cup clover honey
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup dried blueberries
1 cup dried cherries
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line two sheet pans or cookie sheets with parchment paper or foil.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, almonds, chocolate chips and dry milk powder. stir well to combine (I use my hands for this part).
In a small saucepan, combine the oil, honey, maple syrup and cinnamon. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Pour the hot mixture over the oat mixture and stir well.
Divide the mixture between the two sheet pans and bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes, until golden (it's a little hard to tell because of the chocolate, but you can also monitor the moisture of the granola). Remove to a rack to cool completely.
Break up the granola into a bowl and add the dried fruit. Mix thoroughly.
Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to one month. Makes 2 quarts.
Lethally Delicious http://lethallydelicious.blogspot.com/