Quinoa Granola

It’s back to the grind.

Back to work. Back to eating healthier. Back to wishing that I was still on the couch sipping coffee. I suppose we have to get back to real life at some point so I might as well do it with a bang. By that mean I mean I’m trying something new. What’s that? Drum roll, please. This is the first time I’ve cooked with coconut oil!

I have to admit that I was afraid to use coconut oil. I have no idea why. Maybe because it’s weird that it’s hard in the jar. It’s oil so I kind of expect it to have the consistency of any other kind of oil. I’m over it now. I need to get with the program and give it a go. I mean it’s healthy stuff and I definitely need more healthy in my life, especially after the holiday food fest over the long weekend.

It turns out that it is mad easy to cook with coconut oil. Yes, from my vast experience of using it once I can say that because it is true that 100% of the time that I’ve used it has been easy. 😉 Now I want to cook everything with coconut oil. Does anyone else get obsessed with using a new found ingredient?

Not only does this granola have coconut oil in it, but as I’m sure you’ve guessed by the name of the post, it also has quinoa in it. What the what? Are you surprised to see it in a granola recipe? I sure was. This is some seriously ultra healthy, protein packed eats. January 1st, I’m way ahead of you and I’m starting my new year’s resolution early.

Sprinkle some of this granola over yogurt, maybe add some fruit and/or honey and it will stick with you. It’s not overly sweet and it’s crunchy… just the way I love my granola. Okay Monday, let’s do this.

Quinoa Granola Recipe
(About 7 servings of 1/2 cup each)

Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup quinoa, uncooked
2 cups raw almonds, roughly chopped (I used sliced almonds and didn’t chop them.)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 and 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil (I used Nature’s Promise Organic Refined Coconut Oil.)
1/4 cup pure maple syrup

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 340 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, stir together the oats, quinoa, almonds, brown sugar, and salt. Set the dry ingredients aside.
In a small saucepan, over Medium heat, add the coconut oil and maple syrup. Warm it up, whisking frequently until the two are totally combined and there is no visible separation. (About 2 to 3 minutes.)
Immediately pour the liquid over the dry ingredients and stir to combine until everything is thoroughly coated.
Pour the oat mixture on a large baking sheet and spread into an even layer.
Bake it in the preheat oven for 20 minutes.
Remove it from oven and stir/toss the granola. Rotate the pan when you put it back in so it bakes evenly. Bake it for an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until the granola is a deep golden brown. Watch carefully as to not burn it.
Let it cool completely before serving.

Source: Minimalist Baker

Rating: