1 to 2teaspoonsground cayenne pepperdepending on "spiciness" desired
1/2cupreal maple syrup
2cups oats
2tablespoonsuncooked quinoa
2tablespoonsflax seeds
2/3cupdiced dried pears or apples
Instructions
In small food processor or with knife, chop 3 ounces of almonds (1/2 Blue Diamond can); leave other half of can whole. Set both aside.
In large skillet, cook bacon over medium-high until moderately crispy (don’t over-cook). Remove bacon to drain on paper towels and coarsely chop up. Don’t dispose of bacon fat.
Keep about ½ cup of bacon fat in skillet along with all the delicious crispy bits left behind. Add cayenne pepper and stir into bacon fat until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add maple syrup to this mixture, stirring constantly and allowing to bubble up for about one minute. Remove from heat.
In medium bowl, toss together oats, quinoa, flax seed, chopped bacon, dried pears, chopped almonds and whole almonds.
Stir oat mixture into bacon fat - maple syrup mixture until evenly coated.
Preheat oven to 325 F degrees.
Spread granola mixture out onto baking sheet and lightly press down with back of spoon to compact a bit.
Bake at 325 F for about 10 – 12 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes and them break into chunks