Honey Quinoa Granola

I made granola!

Finally.  

I've been saying forever that I want to make it, and my mom makes her own, and Jay likes it but I never buy it, so.....I labored this weekend, is what I'm trying to say.

How was your weekend, bee tee dubs?  We did lots of cooking and eating and hiking and playing and very little cleaning, which is kind of unfortunate for our house. THEN ALSO we went and stood on our street last night with our neighbors which was super cool because we don't know many of them, and approximately 25 of us fall into a 8 year age range.  Seriously.  It was a ball. 

Also Breaking Bad. All of the Breaking Bad.  We're on season 5 and DYING every second of every episode.  It's awesome. 

This granola, though.  It's super simple if you aren't a moron like I am (just wait for it), and healthy!  The addition of quinoa makes a nice crunch and adds protein, which is great.  This is a pretty plain granola, and I'm THINKING that now that we have the basics down more flavor combos should be in our granola future.  Whatcha think?

You need oats, coconut, quinoa, butter, honey, and vanilla. 

And pecans!  Or any kind of nut you like!  I forgot about those. 

This is really so simple.  Preheat the oven to 325F.  Then, measure out the quinoa with water to package directions, and cook it.  This is also a great use-up for leftover quinoa!  We're looking for ⅔ of a cup or so cooked - don't obsess about the quantity too much.  

While the quinoa is cooking, add the butter to a small pan over medium heat. 

Let the butter melt, then add the honey and vanilla and stir together.

Like this!  You could also TOTALLY do this in the microwave.  For serious. Also, a note on the honey.  This is not a very sweet granola.  The honey and the coconut are the only sweet elements, so if you like things sweeter add a bit more honey!

When the quinoa is cooked, add it to a bowl with the oats, coconut, and nuts. 

Then pour the honey mixture all over everything.  Yum!

Now, mix the granola together for a minute or two until the butter and honey coat everything WELL.  Don't rush this step! It'll allow the granola to clump nicely in the oven. 

Spread the granola in one even layer on a sheet pan with a Silpat or parchment paper - this stuff is pretty sticky and you don't want to spend half your day scrubbing a pan.  For rizzle. 

Bake the granola for 35 - 45 minutes until the granola is dried out, toasty at the edges, and clumpy.  While it's baking, shake the granola every 20 minutes or so to toast all sides of it. 

Now, the granola won't be totally crispy when it comes out of the oven - that happens as it cools.  Be patient!  It'll be crispy.  

DON'T BE LIKE ME. At this point I was also cooking something else, and had left the burner on.  Then, I put the pan on the stove to cool, and wondered why I smelt burning after 10 minutes. 

Awesome.  Granola in pan on lit burner = burned granola. 

So, what I'm saying is, the granola should cool on a cool surface - this is a very important step. 

Even with the extra carcinogens, this was a LOVELY granola, yours will just be slightly lighter than mine was.  Sigh. 

I like this with yogurt and fruit, and Jay likes to eat it half a jar at a time at 10pm.  To each their own!

Enjoy this - it's great snack to have around, and so much yummier and healthier than boxed versions.  Happy TuesdaythatfeelslikeMonday!

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 Shared with my peeps at Weekend Potluck - my fav part of the week!