Spiced Orange Granola

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Autumn Granola

Granola is one of my main food groups, it was the first recipe I felt I nailed, & so I've become so confident in my granola making abilities I don't use recipes anymore. However, below is one of the original recipes I ever created!

 

It was Autumn during my senior year in College, so imagine the leaves are changing, the air is crisp, and I learned what cardamom was. BOOM cardamom in EVERYTHING all season long, a sweet warm spice that I used in soups, granola and chicken.  I hope you enjoy this Orange and Spiced infused Autumn Granola!

Ingredients: 

- 2 cups of rolled oats 

- 1.5 cups of sliced almonds (separate . 5 to use for later)

- 1/2 cup of unsweetened coconut shavings 

- 3/4 cup of maple syrup

- 1/2 cup of coconut oil (or more depending on oat coverage)

- 1.5 teaspoon of Almond extract 

- .5 teaspoon of Vanilla extract

- 2 tablespoon of flaxseed

- 2 tablespoon chia seeds

- 2 tablespoon hemp seeds

- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

- 2 teaspoon of cinnamon

- 2 teaspoon cardamom

- 1 whole orange, zested and juiced

- Optional: one cup of fresh cherries or apples (or whatever fruit you desire that is in season)

How to: 

- Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees

- Add oats into a large bowl

-  Mix the following into a blender until a little thicker than flour like consistency: Flaxseed, Chia Seed, Hemp Seed, Cinnamon, Cardamom, 1 cup of almonds (leaving .5 out to add in at the end)

- Add the previously mentioned mixture into the same bowl as oats

- Over simmering heat in a sauce pan until fully combined: Coconut oil, maple syrup, salt

- Pour simmering mixture over the oats and flour mixture

- Mix until fully coated

- Add in: Almond extract and juice of one orange 

- Spread over a large baking sheet and place in oven for 25 minutes

- Take out and add in the coconut shavings, and remainder of almonds

- Put back in oven for another 10 min or until golden brown 

- Remove from oven and let cool, once it cools it will harden

- Sprinkle orange zest overtop and mix throughout 

- Optional: add in the fresh fruit at the end when cooled 

 

VOILA!

This recipe keeps for three weeks in an airtight container.  Sprinkle this granola overtop of yogurt, in chia puddings, eat it as your morning cereal, or even mix throughout popcorn for a savory and sweet snack!

Check out my favorite Travel Snacks on my dear friend's blog, Our Endless Adventure bit.ly/lpesnacks !

I ALWAYS love feedback so please send me any comments! Anastasia@LandOfPleasantEating.com

anastasia keramidas