Alan's Favorite Granola

4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
2 cups sliced almonds
3/4 cup organic coconut oil or your favorite oil
1/2 cup honey
1-1/2 cups slivered dried apricots
1 cup dried tart cherries
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup roasted, unsalted cashews

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss the oats, coconut and almonds together in a large bowl. Warm coconut oil until liquid, then mix together with honey in a small bowl. Pour the oil & honey mixture over the oat mixture and toss with a wooden spoon until well coated. Pour onto a 13x18-inch rimmed baking sheet. Bake, stirring occasionally, until the mixture turns golden brown--approximately 20 to 30 minutes (ovens vary in temperature). Watch carefully as it can burn quickly!

Remove the granola from the oven to cool, continuing to stir the granola on the baking sheet. Once completely cooled, add dried fruit and cashews. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 12 cups.

~adapted from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten.