guiltless granola

I cook for a friend at church from time to time who is pre-diabetic. She asked if I could come up with a granola that has a low glycemic index and this is an amalgamation of a couple of recipes I found.

1 cup chopped dates
1 cup water

Combine and cook over medium heat until most of the water has either been absorbed or evaporated. Set aside to cool.

8 cups rolled oats (oatmeal)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup dried fruit (your pick)
1 cup wheat germ
1/2 sunflower seeds
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup flax seeds
1/2 cup slivered almonds
2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut

Mix these ingredients together in a large bowl. Cook in batches by spreading a thin layer on a baking sheet and baking for about seven minutes. (It took me about four batches.) Put the mixture back in the big bowl. Add

1/4 frozen apple concentrate, thawed
1/4 cup vegetable oil

to the date paste and mix together. Add the liquid to the dry ingredients and mix well. Return the mixture to the baking sheet and cook for about ten minutes, stirring occasionally. Let cool before storing in an airtight container.

Peace,
Milton