Coconut and Crystallized Ginger Granola

This wouldn't be a respectable homesteading-themed blog without a decent granola recipe. Here is a knockout one...and I don't even like granola that much. I do, however, LOVE ginger and coconut. First the crystallized ginger. Easier to make than you might think. Warning: Super addictive

Nifty tip: Store some ginger root in freezer for other recipes. It wont go bad and grates up well without getting all annoying and stringy.

Crystallized Ginger
Thinly slice 2 large pieces of ginger
Mix with one cup sugar and 1 cup water
Simmer until syrup is reduced by 3/4 or so.
Remove from pan and let ginger pieces dry on parchment until tacky but not totally dry.
Toss with sugar.

Granola
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/3 cup honey
2 t vanilla
1/2 t salt
1 t cinnamon
sprinkle of nutmeg
1 t ground ginger
1 1/2 cups quick oats
1 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
other nuts/seeds if you like
handful crystallized ginger
3/4 cup coconut flakes

Toast quick oats, nuts, seeds and coconut flakes in oven for 15 min at 350.
Melt oil and honey and stir in salt, cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg and vanilla
Combine with toasted ingredients.
Cook in wide, shallow pan in oven at 350, shaking often. About 30 min or until desired toastiness.
Let cool, stir in ginger, enjoy.

This recipe can also be used for granola bars. Just pack into pan like brownies instead of shaking loosely. Cut up afterwards. I recommend parchment, it sticks.