According to Nancy Bacon, who gave me this recipe, homemade granola bars that get baked in the oven are hard as rocks. She has been perfecting the following recipe, which has a much easier-to-chew texture. I’m always happy to have stove-top recipes for sailors on simple boats without ovens!

3 C rolled oats
1 C toasted and sliced almonds
1 C wheat germ
3/4 C packed brown sugar
1/2 C honey
1/2 C butter
1-1/2 C dried fruit - any mixture of raisins, cherries, dates, apricots, or cranberries
1/4 C sesame seeds
1/4 C water
1 t salt

Directions:
1. Simmer sugar, honey, salt, water, and butter in large saucepan for 5 minutes
2. Stir in almonds, sesame seeds, wheat germ, and oats
3. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring regularly
4. Remove from heat
5. Add fruit
6. Pour into a greased jelly roll pan
7. Cut bars
8. Allow to cool