Granola - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 bananas, peeled and diced
1 1/4 cups dates, pitted and chopped
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup hot water
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
8 cups quick cooking oats
8 ounces dried mixed fruit
8 ounces blanched slivered almonds

Preparation

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
Puree the bananas and dates in a food processor. Add the brown sugar, hot water, vanilla and cinnamon; mix well.
Pour mixture into a large mixing bowl, add oatmeal and mix well.
Spread onto large baking sheets and bake at 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) for 1 to 1 1/2 hours stirring frequently. Cook longer for crunchier if desired. Once cooled add the dried fruits and nuts, as little or as much as you want, and mix.