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Raw Date Granola

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Raw Date Granola - Epicurean Vegan

For the last couple of months, I have been making more of an effort to not skip breakfast and to incorporate more fruit into my diet. I’m not sure why I reach for leafy greens before an orange, but I guess I just love my veggies. As we all know, a healthy vegan diet’s gotta include fruit, so let’s do this! I recently came across the book, Life-Changing Foods and while I don’t (yet) know about life-changing, I will say, the recipes have been meal-changing for me. Unprocessed and fresh. That’s what I’ve been focusing on for the last six months and I’ve embraced my love of food again. I was getting too reliant upon vegan products and not plant-based, whole foods—one of the main reasons my becoming a vegan. (I’ve even cut way back on gluten/wheat and I feel so much better, but that’s a whole other post.) Anyway, this recipe (which I double) from Life-Changing Foods has certainly changed my breakfasts, which needed a serious (and delicious) overhaul.

INGREDIENTS:
4 C fresh, pitted dates
1/2 C unsalted almonds (I like to roast mine)
1/2 C unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon (my addition)

DIRECTIONS:
I like to add the salt and cinnamon to the food processor first to get them well-combined. I then add the dates, almonds, and coconut; blend well. Transfer to a glass container and store in the refrigerator. I usually make this the night before, otherwise, it’s too soft to be granola. For breakfast, I crumble/pull apart pieces.

Raw Date Granola - Epicurean Vegan

My favorite breakfast:
Raw Date Granola - Epicurean Vegan
unsweetened Cashew Yogurt
a teeny drizzle of agave
fresh strawberries
fresh blueberries

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

Raw Date Granola
 
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For the last couple of months, I have been making more of an effort to not skip breakfast and to incorporate more fruit into my diet. I'm not sure why I reach for leafy greens before an orange, but I guess I just love my veggies. As we all know, a healthy vegan diet's gotta include fruit, so let's do this! I recently came across the book, Life-Changing Foods and while I don't (yet) know about life-changing, I will say, the recipes have been meal-changing for me. Unprocessed and fresh. That's what I've been focusing on for the last six months and I've embraced my love of food again. I was getting too reliant upon vegan products and not plant-based, whole foods---one of the main reasons my becoming a vegan. (I've even cut way back on gluten/wheat and I feel so much better, but that's a whole other post.) Anyway, this recipe (which I double) from Life-Changing Foods has certainly changed my breakfasts, which needed a serious (and delicious) overhaul.
Author:
Serves: 3 cups
Ingredients
  • 4 C fresh, pitted dates
  • ½ C unsalted almonds (I like to roast mine)
  • ½ C unsweetened coconut flakes
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp cinnamon (my addition)
Directions
  1. I like to add the salt and cinnamon to the food processor first to get them well-combined. I then add the dates, almonds, and coconut; blend well. Transfer to a glass container and store in the refrigerator. I usually make this the night before, otherwise, it's too soft to be granola. For breakfast, I crumble/pull apart pieces. My favorite breakfast: unsweetened Cashew Yogurt, a teeny drizzle of agave, fresh strawberries, fresh blueberries. Enjoy!

 

Sweet & Salty Granola Trail Mix

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Sweet and Salty Granola Trail Mix -- Epicurean VeganThis is an excellent snack filled with lots of healthy protein and a great blend of sweet and salty. It’s so easy to make, and I guarantee a lot healthier than the bagged or bulk varieties in the store. No overdose of sodium or preservatives, plus, you can tailor it to your tastes. This is the perfect snack to take up hiking, packed in your kid’s lunchbox, or while you’re at your desk.

INGREDIENTS:
2 C old fashioned oats
1 C coconut flakes
1/2 C wheat germ
1 C raw and unsalted cashews
1 C raw and unsalted walnuts
1/2 C raw and unsalted almonds
1/2 C raw and unsalted pecans
1/2 C unsalted pepitas
1/3 C brown rice syrup
1/2 C unsweetened almond milk
1/4 C olive oil
1 tsp salt, plus some for sprinkling
1-1/2 C dried fruit (I like this organic mix from Costco)
1 C vegan dark chocolate chips

Sweet and Salty Granola Trail Mix -- Epicurean Vegan

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 300. Line a large cookie sheet (preferably with sides) with parchment paper; set aside. In a large bowl, combine the oats, coconut, wheat germ, nuts, and pepitas.
Sweet and Salty Granola Trail Mix -- Epicurean Vegan

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the brown rice syrup, almond milk, oil, and 1 tsp salt. Pour over the nut mixture and blend well with a rubber spatula. Transfer the mix to the lined cookie sheet and spread out in an even layer. Sprinkle with salt.
Sweet and Salty Granola Trail Mix -- Epicurean VeganBake for 45-50 minutes, or until slightly browned. Let it cool for a few minutes, then pour into a large bowl. Try not to break up the clusters too much and gently stir in the dried fruit. Let the mixture cool before stirring in the chocolate chips. Enjoy!

Sweet & Salty Granola Trail Mix
 
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Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
This is an excellent snack filled with lots of healthy protein and a great blend of sweet and salty. It's so easy to make, and I guarantee a lot healthier than the bagged or bulk varieties in the store. No overdose of sodium or preservatives, plus, you can tailor it to your tastes. This is the perfect snack to take up hiking, packed in your kid's lunchbox, or while you're at your desk.
Author:
Serves: 6 cups
Ingredients
  • 2 C old fashioned oats
  • 1 C coconut flakes
  • ½ C wheat germ
  • 1 C raw and unsalted cashews
  • 1 C raw and unsalted walnuts
  • ½ C raw and unsalted almonds
  • ½ C raw and unsalted pecans
  • ½ C unsalted pepitas
  • ⅓ C brown rice syrup
  • ½ C unsweetened almond milk
  • ¼ C olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt, plus some for sprinkling
  • 1-1/2 C dried fruit (I like this organic mix from Costco)
  • 1 C vegan dark chocolate chips
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 300. Line a large cookie sheet (preferably with sides) with parchment paper; set aside. In a large bowl, combine the oats, coconut, wheat germ, nuts, and pepitas.
  2. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the brown rice syrup, almond milk, oil, and 1 tsp salt. Pour over the nut mixture and blend well with a rubber spatula.
  3. Transfer the mix to the lined cookie sheet and spread out in an even layer. Sprinkle with salt.
  4. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until slightly browned.
  5. Let it cool for a few minutes, then pour into a large bowl. Try not to break up the clusters too much and gently stir in the dried fruit.
  6. Let the mixture cool before stirring in the chocolate chips. Enjoy!

 

Lemony Quinoa-Almond Granola

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Lemony Quinoa-Almond Granola -- Epicurean VeganOkay, yes, this is from Big Vegan again. And no, I won’t be posting every single recipe from this fabulous cookbook. I just saw this and had to make it. I’ve been needing to get more creative with breakfast and this recipe jumped out at me. I made it last night so breakfast would be a snap this morning. It has a bit more oil and sugar than my granola recipe so I won’t be replacing it with it, but it’s certainly a nice change! The only thing I might add next time is some chopped coconut flakes, otherwise, it was perfect with some soy yogurt and fruit.

INGREDIENTS:
3 C rolled oats
2 C quinoa flakes (look in the cereal aisle)
1/2 C whole wheat flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1-1/2 C all-fruit lemon concentrate, thawed
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 C vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 C almonds, chopped
1 C apricots, chopped

Lemony Quinoa-Almond Granola -- Epicurean Vegan

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 300. In a large bowl, combine the oats, quinoa flakes, flour, cinnamon, and salt. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the lemonade, sugar, oil, and extracts. Pour into the dry ingredients and using your hands, combine thoroughly. Let it sit for 10 minutes to absorb the liquid.

Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Since I don’t have rimmed baking sheets, I used foil to create small sides on the pan. Spread the granola on the baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, turning it over with a metal spatula every 15 minutes.

Lemony Quinoa-Almond Granola -- Epicurean Vegan

I added another 5 minutes to the last 15. Ovens temps vary, so check often.

Lemony Quinoa-Almond Granola -- Epicurean Vegan

Let the pan and granola cool on a rack, then stir in the apricots. Stored in a ziplock or airtight container, the granola will last for 2 weeks at room temperature. Enjoy!

Lemony Quinoa-Almond Granola
 
Print
Okay, yes, this is from Big Vegan again. And no, I won't be posting every single recipe from this fabulous cookbook. I just saw this and had to make it. I've been needing to get more creative with breakfast and this recipe jumped out at me. I made it last night so breakfast would be a snap this morning. It has a bit more oil and sugar than my granola recipe so I won't be replacing it with it, but it's certainly a nice change! The only thing I might add next time is some chopped coconut flakes, otherwise, it was perfect with some soy yogurt and fruit.
Author:
Ingredients
  • 3 C rolled oats
  • 2 C quinoa flakes (look in the cereal aisle)
  • ½ C whole wheat flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1-1/2 C all-fruit lemon concentrate, thawed
  • ½ C brown sugar
  • ½ C vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp almond extract
  • 1 C almonds, chopped
  • 1 C apricots, chopped
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 300. In a large bowl, combine the oats, quinoa flakes, flour, cinnamon, and salt. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the lemonade, sugar, oil, and extracts. Pour into the dry ingredients and using your hands, combine thoroughly. Let it sit for 10 minutes to absorb the liquid.
  2. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Since I don't have rimmed baking sheets, I used foil to create small sides on the pan. Spread the granola on the baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, turning it over with a metal spatula every 15 minutes.
  3. I added another 5 minutes to the last 15. Ovens temps vary, so check often.
  4. Let the pan and granola cool on a rack, then stir in the apricots. Stored in a ziplock or airtight container, the granola will last for 2 weeks at room temperature. Enjoy!

 

Chocolate-Espresso Balsamic Granola

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Chocolate-Espresso Balsamic Granola -- Epicurean VeganOh, my. This is good. This is similar to my original granola recipe, but tweaked a little. Flavored oils or balsamic vinegars are ideal for granola. I don’t care for overly sweet granola, so this Chocolate-Espresso balsamic vinegar adds just the right amount of sweetness. Great for cereal, on top of yogurt, or with ice cream. A new olive oil/vinegar shop recently opened up downtown and a friend and I spent at least 45 minutes tasting all their different varieties. I found what I was looking for. A little pricey at $15, it will be slowly savored.

INGREDIENTS:
2 C oats
1 C coconut, shredded
1/2 C wheat germ
1/2 C each: walnuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds
1 tsp salt
1/4 C Chocolate-Espresso Balsamic vinegar
1/8 C brown rice syrup
1/4 C almond milk
1/8 C olive oil
6 to 8 oz dried fruit, such as craisins or cherries

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 300. Line a large baking sheet with foil, and mist with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the oats, coconut, wheat germ, nuts, and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, oil, brown rice syrup, and almond milk.  Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones and mix well. Spread the granola mixture on the prepared baking sheet; spread it out evenly.

Chocolate-Espresso Balsamic Granola -- Epicurean VeganBake for 35-40 minutes, or until it begins to brown. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the dried fruit. Once it has cooled, store in an airtight container. Enjoy!

Easy, Healthy Granola

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Easy, Healthy Granola -- Epicurean VeganThis is inspired by my mom’s granola recipe, however, she uses 1-14oz can of condensed milk, so I had to come up with an alternative. There are recipes to make a dairy-free condensed milk using soy milk powder and sugar, but it looked like a bit of work, plus I couldn’t find soy milk powder. So…with the need for sugar and milk in her recipe, I decided to use maple syrup and soy milk. You can also use brown rice syrup as well. Log Cabin makes a nice maple syrup that has no high fructose corn syrup, which I like. This isn’t a super sweet granola, so if you prefer it be sweeter, add 1/4-1/2 C brown sugar to the mix or a tsp of cinnamon, which happens to be rich in antioxidants. Don’t forget, sunflower seeds, walnuts and almonds are a great source of calcium and protein. Plus, wheat germ itself is miracle-working superfood!

Check out the benefits here.

INGREDIENTS:
2 C old fashioned oats
1 C shredded coconut
1/2 C wheat germ
1/2 C chopped almonds
1/2 C chopped walnuts
1/2 C sunflower seeds
1 tsp salt
1/4 C maple or brown rice syrup
1/2 C soy milk
1/8 C vegetable oil
1-6oz bag craisins (try orange-flavored craisins–they add just a bit more sweetness)

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 300. Combine oats, coconut, wheat germ, nuts and salt. Stir in syrup and soy milk and add oil and mix. Spread evenly on a large greased and foiled pan. Make sure you grease it well, or it’ll “stick something awful,” as my mom said.

Easy, Healthy Granola -- Epicurean VeganBake until it starts to brown, 45-50 mins. Transfer to a large bowl and add the craisins. Makes about 8 C. Store in an air tight container. Serve over vanilla soy yogurt, soy ice cream, in a bowl with some soy or rice milk, or just snack on it! Try other dried fruit like blueberries, apricots, apples, cherries…you name it! Enjoy!

Easy, Healthy Granola -- Epicurean Vegan

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