Yummy Fall Granola

First, my Dad is out of the hospital and doing great. Many, many tests have led to the conclusion that he is very healthy and what happened was a fluke. Mom made her flight home last night so that she could make chemo this week, and Dad followed today. We had a nice day with him that included playing at the park, reading, and some football in the backyard. While he read/played I got to start the clean up on our apartment and do a little cooking. I made some cinnamon cranberry walnut granola, which not only tastes awesome but made the apartment smell like Fall is here...even though it was a glorious 75 degrees today!

I love this granola recipe which I concocted one day when I felt like having some granola but had fairly limited supplies on hand. I've made it again and again because it is so absurdly easy and it makes a really filling breakfast (half a cup with milk gets me through to lunch without a growling stomach).

Preheat oven to 300 degrees

5 cups oats (the slow cooking kind)
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup real maple syrup
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Put all of the above in a big bowl and stir it up really well. Be careful that the brown sugar is mixed in thoroughly and not lumpy.

Dump mixed up granola on a rimmed baking sheet and cook for 15 minutes. Stir and rotate pan. Cook 15 more minutes. Stir and rotate pan. Cook 10 minutes. Check to see if your granola is brown/crisp to your liking. If not. put in for another 5 to 15 minutes. When it is light brown and the oats are crunchy remove from the oven and let cool.

Stir in one cup dried cranberries (I use Craisins because the massive bag at Costco is cheaper than buying off-brand).

Store in an airtight container and enjoy!