This is a recipe for incredibly simple granola, which I live off of during the work week. I think the original recipe was taken from the pages of Real Simple magazine, and I’ve tweaked it for my own purposes. Granola, like the simple salad, is what you make of it. (And like that saying…life is what you make of it, no?) Add your favorite dried fruits, nuts, etc. I’m a fan of adding shredded coconut, and I adore slivered almonds. Usually I pick up a bag of mixed dried fruits at the farmers market and toss that in after the baking is done.

This takes all of five minutes to mix and makes a big batch. Enjoy!

4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup sliced almonds or walnuts
1/2 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds or shelled sunflower seeds
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, mango, cherries—you name it)

Heat oven to 350˚F. On a baking sheet, toss the oats, nuts, coconut, and pumpkin seeds with the maple syrup, oil, and salt.

Bake, tossing once while baking, until golden and crisp, 25-30 minutes.

Add the dried fruit and toss to combine. Let cool.