I am always trying to improve our diet and breakfast is such a critical meal as it tends to set the trend for the day. We’ve always eaten porridge as our number one “go to” but when it is as hot as it is in St. Lucia now, its really hard to add anything to the furness. I’d love to have a bowl full of fruit some mornings, but the problem with that is the glycemic index of that meal is very high and because the body breaks it down so quickly, you do not stay satisfied for long.
I came up with this recipe as an amalgamation of many prototypes…..hence the name….It just seems to hit the spot in terms of health benefits, glycemic index, mouth feel and satisfaction. I hope you give it a try.
My friend Nancy put me onto shelled hemp hearts/hemp seeds when we went on our sailing trip earlier this year. You may remember I made her paleo granola. Hemp seeds are the seeds of the cannabis plant and are mooted as the most nutritious seed on the planet. I find superlatives questionable in most circumstances, but the point is they are very good for you and taste great.
I’ve included a picture of my chopped almonds because I also love these nuts. In this simply delicious homemade granola recipe they get all crunchy and you feel like a special treasure has been delivered to your mouth when a spoonful includes them.
makes lots of homemade granola goodness :
500g jumbo oats
1 c fresh grated coconut
4 tbsp sesame seeds
2 tbsp flax seeds or flax seed meal
60g (1/2 c) pumpkin seeds
80g (1/2 c) sunflower seeds
90g (1/2 c) roughly chopped almonds
75g (1/2 c) shelled hemp hearts/hemp seeds
125 ml (1/2 c) coconut oil
60ml (1/4 c) honey
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
Heat the oven to 170ºC (340ºF).
Combine all the dry ingredients in a roomy bowl and mix thoroughly. Add the oil, honey and vanilla extract and try your best to make sure every seed, nut and oat flake have at least a little of their blessing.
Spread evenly in a large roasting tray with low sides and cook for approximately 30 mins stirring often as the 4 edges seem to turn brown quite quickly.
Once the granola has completely cooled it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for ages.
We usually have ours with a chopped up banana and milk. Sometimes, during the day, I have a spoonful all by itself as it tastes that good.
[amd-yrecipe-recipe:1]
21 Comments
Kylee @ Kylee Cooks
November 12, 2015 at 8:26 pmLooks like a WOMDERFUL start to the day. Delicious!
Kathrina
November 12, 2015 at 8:59 pmGranola is one of my favorite ways to start the day. I like it with milk or with yogurt, berries, and a drizzle of honey. Your recipe sounds fabulous!
Shiho
November 12, 2015 at 9:17 pmI am big fan of Granola. I can eat them all day. Thank you for sharing.
Jenn
November 12, 2015 at 9:21 pmHomemade granola is the best!! Love that you added hemp seeds—love those!
Heidi @ Food Doodles
November 12, 2015 at 10:04 pmMmm, this looks so yummy! I love homemade granola so much! I love all the seeds you put in this 🙂
Molly Kumar
November 13, 2015 at 9:27 amI love homemade granola and absolutely loving the addition of seeds. They make such a great snack or breakfast.
Annie @ Annie's Noms
November 13, 2015 at 10:15 amHomemade granola is just the BEST! Love all the seeds you packed in here, pumpkin seeds are my favourite!
Mel@avirtualvegan.com
November 14, 2015 at 4:31 amHomemade granola tastes so much better than store bought. I love all of the healthy ingredients in yours although to make it vegan I would swap out maple syrup for the honey. Looks great!
Germaine
November 20, 2015 at 8:07 pmHoney would be just fine Mel. In fact I use it often for this recipe…
Foodie
May 9, 2016 at 7:30 pmWhere can i get hemp seeds in st lucia? Im searching high and low.
Germaine
May 10, 2016 at 1:29 amI tend to bring them home with me. However, I saw hemp powder at GL last week which would work in a pinch…Best to ask the suppliers to bring it in…I always find people are very welcome to such ideas…
Sophia @veggies dont bite
November 14, 2015 at 5:18 amIsn’t home made granola the best?! I love that you put hemp seeds in yours, they are so great for granola.
Germaine
November 20, 2015 at 8:05 pmThey’re supposed to be the most nutritious too…
Vicky from @Avocado Pesto
November 14, 2015 at 1:56 pmSounds delicious! I love adding coconut and hemp seeds to granola – so good! I have a similar granola recipe that is also my favorite made with sliced almonds, oats, coconut flakes – so good!
Germaine
November 20, 2015 at 8:05 pmKindred spirits we are Vicky…
Sarah - Live Eat Learn
November 15, 2015 at 3:49 amI love making granola! I always make mine with quinoa (because I always seem to have way too much leftover quinoa), but I’ll have to try your recipe out!
Germaine
November 20, 2015 at 8:04 pmI know what you mean about the quinoa, but I’d love it if you would make my recipe and tell me what you think…
Michelle Chavez
November 17, 2015 at 9:29 pmIt does look pretty yummy, it never occurred to me to use sesame seeds! I will try this recipe next time I make granola! 🙂
Germaine
November 20, 2015 at 8:03 pmI’d love it if you would let me know how you lie the sesame seeds….
Dilip
February 10, 2016 at 6:21 amJust loved it
Germaine
February 10, 2016 at 10:20 amI’m glad Dilip. Im about to make a fresh batch today too….