Winter Blues and Quinoa Granola with Currants and Coconut
Happy Monday, Friends! Breakfasts are an easy approach to entertaining, especially if you’re serving a brunch. You can definitely keep things simpler by buying pre-made desserts, muffins, and coffee cakes, but I like to know that my family and guests are eating as organic and homemade as possible. My favorite new recipe is Quinoa Granola with Currants and Coconut, which I adapted from this recipe, but added in quinoa and chia seeds, and different fruits and nuts.
Perfect this month served with Cara Cara oranges (love the fantastic flavor!)
You start with Greek yogurt and a little bit of honey (or Agave).
Oh, my goodness.
Then sprinkle on top the granola.
Top with Cara Cara oranges, and you have the perfect breakfast!
I’ve sort of had the winter blues the past week. One, I tweaked my back at the gym. Two, I’m tired of the cold weather. Three, I am much happier when the sunshine is OUT!
But, putting those things aside, I’m grateful for so much in life. There’s really no room to complain.
Because these photos are so beautiful, and we’re talking about family, life, good food … and sunshine, I’m borrowing a few of my daughter’s stunning photos from her hike up to Roxy Ann a few weeks ago in the snow, with her Dad and Haggis (our Cairn Terrier).
Yes, the sun was peeking through the clouds. (Abby overlooking the Rogue Valley.)
Back home, Quinoa Granola with Currants and Coconut was waiting for the hungry hikers. :)
Love the combination of quinoa, currants, coconuts and golden raisins. To me, this is a wintry recipe.
I love changing up my traditional granola recipe, and making something fresh and new!
There’s something about snow and sunshine and a good healthy breakfast that really warms my heart!
What’s your “secret ingredient” that you love putting in granola?
Get the Recipe:
Quinoa Granola with Currants and Coconut Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2-3 tsp. vanilla
- 1 tsp. Sea Salt
- 5 cups Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
- 3 cups quinoa, cooked
- 2 cups coconut
- 3 cups sliced almonds
- 3 cups whole walnuts, chopped
- 2 cups dried currants
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 1/2 cup chia seeds
Instructions
- Heat oven to 250 degrees. Line 2 rimmed backing sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl, except the dried fruit (will add in later).
- Whisk the first 5 ingredients together. Pour over the dry ingredients. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
- Transfer the mixture to the baking sheets, baking on 2 oven levels, stirring every 15-20 minutes. After 40 minutes, swap pans on the oven racks.
- Bake for 60-80 minutes until granola is the consistency that you like.
- Remove granola from the oven and cool on cooling racks for an hour before stirring in the dried fruit.
- Using an airtight container, you can store on your kitchen counter for up to 2 weeks (if it lasts that long).
Snow photography by Abigail Coughlin.
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
so I made this and it is very good.
I saw quickly that you meant to write 3 cups of cooked quinoa and not 3 cups quinoa, cooked. You cant up the ingredients by the later b/c the liquid wont accommodate it.
so the ingredients should read 3 cups cooked quinoa*
you might want to put that ingerdient at the top two, so if someone doesnt have it readily available they will see it first thing and cook it up. thank you
May I make a few rercommendations on this recipe
Insert before Step 2 : cook 3 cups quinoa in 6 cups of water, drain and set aside. I assume you didnt mean 3 cups of cooked quinoa based on how its written
Step 2 Mix the first 5 ingredients together, set aside
Step 3. Mix all dry ingredients (including qunioa) except the dried fruit
insert Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients . mix well
and follow as you have
I am making this now and will let you know how it comes out.
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Could you clarify….is it 3 cups raw quinoa that is then cooked, or 3 cups already cooked quinoa…also, is the quinoa dried after it is cooked or do you mix it all up with the cooked quinoa as is. Thanks!
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Gorgeous photos, did not realize that a place that beautiful existed in the States!!
I always remember the currant bush my mom had in our garden when I was growing up. I’m in love with dried currants! This is gorgeous!
The fact you put quinoa AND chia seeds made me not want to go back to other granolas again!
Such gorgeous photos! Both the granola and the outdoor shots!
Love the quinoa in this granola, I bet that adds amazing crunch and texture!
I keep saying that I’m going to make homemade granola, but I still haven’t. This is just the push I needed, it looks so wonderful. Love the snow photos too!
Beautiful! I definitely need a cup of this after a weekend of baking doughnuts!
When driving up the road to our new house, we see Roxy Ann and I love it. LOVE the photos and it has inspired me to want to hike it soon!
This looks amazing, Sandy! And Abby’s photography looks like it should be in National Geographic. I LOVE it. She is so talented. Give her a big hug from me!!! xo
I’ll often make quinoa for breakfast… but never quite like this! This looks great!