Vegan Macadamia Goji Granola Recipe

Before adding the berries...

I am so happy to be home from adventures, grounded, and getting creative in the kitchen. It's a joy to share my tricks, recipes and ways I avoid buying foods wrapped and packed in single-use plastics. Here is a yummy recipe to help un-plastic your breakfast!

Granola is a decadent treat and can be pricy if you get the fancy mix with all the best goodies! However, making it at home helps ensure you get all your favourite clusters, spices, & sweetness. Plus it won't break the bank nor will the packaging ever choke a turtle. YAY! 

Most of the ingredients for this recipe I already had at home, because I regularly stock up on bulk spices, seeds, and nuts. I am all about getting comfortable enough in the kitchen to improvise, experiment, and swap out ingredients from a recipe for what you have in the pantry. It saves trips to the shop and makes you more confident in your chef-ing skills.

Ingredients: (try to use organic & local!)

• 3 cups Oats
• 2/3 cup Pepita/Pumpkin seeds
• 1/3 cup Chia seeds
• 1/3 cup Sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup Black sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup Coconut flakes
• 2/3 cup Macadamia nuts
• 1 tbsp Cardamom powder
• 1 tsp Nutmeg
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1-2 tsp Organic Vanilla Bean Syrup
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup Coconut oil
• Optional Sweetener: 1 tbsp Honey or Maple Syrup OR 1 tbsp fruit juice OR sweet tea
• 2/3 cup Dried Goji berries or any dried fruits
• Baking pan or tray

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 165 C/325 F
2. In large pan(s) mix & spread all oats, seeds, nuts, coconut 
3. Heat water in small sauce pan to a boil (if your sweetener choice is Sweet Tea, add another 1-2 tbsp of water, brew the tea, then strain tea leaves), reduce heat, add cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, and any other spices, let brew for a minute.
4. Turn off heat, add coconut oil, vanilla, & any sweeteners, stirring until oil is melted and all is mixed thoroughly.
5. Slowly drizzle liquid mixture over the oats & seeds, then using long wooden spoon, stir it all together so every seed and oat flake gets a bit of moisture coating. (Can pour 1/2 liquid, stir, then remaining liquid to encourage even distribution)
6. If you are using two trays, split the mix and spread evenly. If using just one pan, spread the mixture evenly. POP INTO OVEN! 
7. Keep the wooden spoon handy and one eye on the granola, peeking in every few minutes to give it all a big stir, allowing all oats a chance to brown up in the heat. My oven is notoriously hot, so it took me 10-15 minutes. If you have a thin layer of granola it will bake quickly. If you have a thick layer, you will need to turn it more frequently, helping it all evenly toast.
8. Meanwhile, give your dried berries a chop, so they go a bit further in the granola mix.
9. Once the mixture has toasted to a coppery brown colour, remove the tray(s) with an oven mit, and let cool. 
10. Add berries, one final mixing stir, and put into a giant jar to store (or into a giant bowl and enjoy!).

Tag your version the recipe & let me know how you go! #iquitplastics