This is great homemade cereal and an important prerequisite to making the granola cookies!

7 cups oats

½ cup sunflower seeds

½ cup hot water

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ cup sesame seeds

1 cup coconut

½ cup honey

1 cup oil

½ cup almonds

½ cup cashews

1 cup dried cherries, raisins and/or cranberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix together everything except the dried fruit.  Make sure the oats are well-coated. Spread mixture in two cookie sheets with sides.  Place in oven and bake for about 1 hour, tossing every 15 minutes. Cool and toss with dried fruit.  Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

By Emuna Braverman and Elizabeth Kurtz, of www.gourmetkoshercooking.com

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