Orange Pecan Granola

Name: Orange Pecan Granola
Yield: makes 10 cups
Ingredients: 6 cups regular rolled oats (not quick cooking); 1 cup oat bran; 1 cup ground flax meal; 1 cup almond meal (ground raw almonds); 1/4 cup sesame seeds; 1 3/4 cups unsweetened applesauce; 1 cup light agave nectar (or 1 1/3 cups for sweeter granola); 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon orange extract; 2 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon cloves; 1 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; 1/4 cup canola oil; 1 cup currants or raisins; 1 1/2 cups pecans, coarsely chopped (try other nuts for variety)

December 9, 2011

I first made this delicious, super-crunchy granola while consulting for Edge of the Woods, a great natural foods market, bakery, and vegetarian café in New Haven, Connecticut. At the time, I was developing lots of agave nectar desserts and goodies for diabetics and clients concerned with sugar when it occurred to me that there were no good-tasting, sugar-free granolas available. Hence the birth of Orange Pecan Granola, a staple in our household! Great on its own as a snack, or sprinkle it over yogurt, fresh fruit, or even frozen yogurt for dessert.

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