No Oil Granola

1 C. pitted dates*
1 ½ C. water
1 C. apple juice concentrate
½ C. walnuts
1 ½ Tbsp. vanilla
2 medium ripe bananas (opt.)
2 tsp. salt
18 C. rolled oats
2 C. barley flour (or flour of choice)

Process first 7 ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour over remaining ingredients and stir together. Spread on cookie sheets to about ½ inch thick. Bake at 200 F. for about 90 minutes, stirring every 30 minutes, until golden and almost dry. Turn oven off and leave pans in overn to complete drying. Or bake at lowest oven setting and leave on overnight. Atore in an airtight container. Variations: Add 2 cups of chopped dried fruit of your choice before or after baking.

* I put the pitted dates in a sauce pan with the 1 1/2 Cups of water and simmer until soft and blend with the next 5 ingredients.