Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness

I've posted a variation of this recipe before, but I've never really gotten to play around with it. I've varied the amount of agave nectar and even used maple syrup instead (I don't recommend this, it cooks way too fast). However, tonight I decided to make two batches. The first batch would be my "superfood" variety. The other would be very rich and snacky. I'm a fan of mixing things up and having variety, plus I have bags and bags of great seeds and nuts waiting to get used.

So, to start, here is the basic recipe:

2 cups rolled spelt (oats work too, but I like the flavor of spelt)
1 cup raw almonds
¼ cup sesame seeds
½ cup unsweetened coconut
¼ cup wheat germ
¼ organic coconut oil
½ cup raw agave nectar (be warned this is sweet. If you want it more neutral use ¼ + 1/8 cup)


Preheat oven to 300°. Mix all dry ingredients thoroughly, heat 1/4 coconut oil until clear (I just put it in the microwave for 45 seconds) and add to the mixture. Use the same ¼ measuring cup (if you used one) and use it to measure the agave nectar. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and evenly spread the mixture onto the pan. Cook for 25 minutes, stirring the mixture halfway through. Divide into 8 sections (or just remember it makes 8 servings) and put in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes to cool off before you store it.


NOW, here is where the fun begins. The original calls for ½ cup of raisins and ½ cup of other dried fruit to be mixed in after the granola is cooked. Rather than using those ingredients (boring) you can add whatever you like, as long as it adds to 1 cup. You can add more (actually, both of mine use 1 cup + ½ cup) but the more you add the less it with stick, and then it's not really granola anymore. Remember to mix all the ingredients to plan to add beforehand, then evenly spread it out on top of the mixture. Then mix everything together. This will make your life easier. I promise.

Here are the two varieties I created, with a list of the extras I added. If you have any cool names let me know. I can't think of any clever ones, haha.


#1



¼ cup chopped dates
¼ cup raw sunflower seeds
¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds
¼ cup goiji berries




#2



¼ cup chopped dates
¼ cup Thompson raisins
½ cup carob chips
½ cup carob chips

Note: For this variety you probably want to go with my previous suggestion and cut down on the agave nectar.
There is plenty of sweet in this already!

There's a reason carob chips in on there twice. First I mixed together the dates, raisins, and carob chips. As soon as the granola was finished I mixed everything together, melting the chips and making a very gooey and carob-ey mix. After it cooled fully in the fridge (just enough so it won't happen again) I pulled it out and put another ½ cup of carob chips in. This makes it crunchy and makes it all stick really well. Nice variety, but use with caution. It's already calling my name from the fridge, haha.



Some extra pictures:


What eight servings of it should look like:




Looks nifty close up.







I'm a little neurotic when I cook. I like order, haha.





I'd love to see what other crazy varieties other people can mix up! Give it a whirl and post your creation!

Woot! I made set this morning and it actually came out good. It's the end of the semester and I have a long car ride home in a few days. I figured I'd make set trail mix for the ride. Usually I buy some from a local health health food store here. It's so expensive though. The granola I made was almost half the price and I got nearly three times more out of it then I would have if I bought it! Anyway here is what I put in it. I basically tried to use up things I still have left here.

2 cups of oats
1/2 cup of pine nuts
1/2 cup of almonds
1/4 cup of seasame seeds
1/2 cup of sunflower seeds
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
1/4 cup agrave nectar
1/4 cup oil

I baked it for 30 minutes stirring every 10 min or so. I didn't think it was done by then though so put it in for another 15 min. Bad idea. I burnt it a little. Luckily I like things a little burnt some times :-p. Then I put in the dried fruit. All I had left in the house was dried mango and dried figs. Ski cut those up and just plopped them in. It tates good! It's not as "stuck together" as I would like but that's ok.

Thanks so much for this recipe!

I can post a pic if you'd like.

You're right, it doesn't stick together very well. What I do sometimes to help it stick is I push it all into the center of the pan when it's cooling. Then I break it apart with a fork or spatula when it's all done. Usually that makes some nice clusters. My carob version sticks REALLY well. I'm going to have to experiment with some ways to help it stick more, haha.

Yeah, if you have pictures, post em! I'm going to make a pecan maple one in the next week or so. So excited. Was going to make it tonight but I have maple syrup left.

If you get a chance try rolled spelt. It adds a nice flavour (and cooks faster).

1 packet of amazing grass green superfood
pistachios
sunflower seeds
pepitas
cranberries
chopped apricots
cinnamon