Recipe of the Day: More Granola Recipes!

I can't get enough of these homemade recipes. All of the money I have spent getting pre-packaged granola (which tend to add up when you go through it in a day/week), this is a rewarding, and money saving way to enjoy one of my favorite snacks, and provide more flexibility as to what flavors and nuts I like. These are great toppings to yogurt which provide for a hardy snack, and I love adding some to my protein breakfast smoothie ever since I tried the breakfast smoothie at EarthBar here in West Hollywood. Next, I am planning to experiment into turning these into on the go protein/snack bars! Stay Tuned!


Vanilla Spice Brazil Nut Granola
vegan, makes about 6 cups granola

3 cups rolled oats
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 1/2 cups Brazil Nuts, roughly chopped/raw (you could also lightly grind in a food processor of vitamix)
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice
3 Tbsp melted virgin coconut oil
1 Tbsp flax seeds
1 tsp chia seeds
1/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup sugar (I used Florida Crystals. Organic brown sugar works too.)
1 large satsuma mandarin orange, squeezed for juice
1/4 tsp citrus zest (from satsuma peel)
3/4 tsp real vanilla extract

Tropical Coconut Ginger Pecan Granola
vegan, makes about 5 cups granola

3 cups rolled oats
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, raw
1/4 cup cashews
1 1/2 cups Pecans, chopped
1/2 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1-5 dashes cayenne
3 Tbsp melted virgin coconut oil
1 Tbsp flax seeds
1 tsp chia seeds
1/4 cup crystalized ginger, chopped (or substitute dried fruit + 1/2 tsp ginger powder)
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup sugar (I used Florida Crystals. Organic brown sugar works too.)
1 large satsuma mandarin orange, squeezed for juice
1/4 tsp citrus zest (from satsuma peel)
1 banana, peeled/diced
3/4 tsp real vanilla extract



Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
2. In a large mixing bowl, add all the ingredients and toss very well.
3. Line a baking sheet with foil or wax paper and spread the granola over top in a thin layer.
4. Bake at 300 degrees for about 35 minutes. Tossing the granola around every ten minutes. Let rest a few minutes to cool and crisp up before bagging.




recipe adapted from: 
http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2012/12/homemade-holiday-granola-recipes-plus-5.html