Granola With Pepitos Recipes

HEALTHY GRANOLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts and/or seeds, salt and cinnamon. Stir to blend.
• Pour in the oil, maple syrup and/or honey and vanilla. Mix well, until every oat and nut is lightly coated. Pour the granola onto your prepared pan and use a large spoon to spread it in an even layer.
• Bake until lightly golden, about 21 to 24 minutes, stirring halfway (for extra-clumpy granola, press the stirred granola down with your spatula to create a more even layer). The granola will further crisp up as it cools.
• Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed (at least 45 minutes). Top with the dried fruit (and optional chocolate chips, if using). Break the granola into pieces with your hands if you want to retain big chunks, or stir it around with a spoon if you don't want extra-clumpy granola.
• Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks, or in a sealed freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. The dried fruit can freeze solid, so let it warm to room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

BAKED BRIE WITH PEPITA GRANOLA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Combine the coconut oil, agave, 1 tablespoon red pepper jelly, the lime juice, cayenne and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until melted and combined, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Combine the pepitas and sunflower seeds in a medium bowl; pour the coconut oil mixture over the seeds. Stir to combine. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then coat with cooking spray. Spread the seeds on the baking sheet and bake, stirring halfway through, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with the lime zest and toss to combine. Let cool, then break into smaller pieces.
• Meanwhile, put the brie on a separate baking sheet and bake until hot and melted in the center, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish; top with the remaining 1/4 cup red pepper jelly, the pepita granola and chopped cilantro. Serve with plantain chips.

GRANOLA WITH PEPITOS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees and lightly grease bottom of pan.
• Break-up the jaggery or brown sugar lumps.
• In a large shallow pan combine all ingredients EXCEPT the coconut flakes and raisins.
• Bake for about an hour stirring every 10-minutes.
• Add the coconut flakes and continue baking.
• When coconut is nicely browned, granola is done; remove pan from oven.
• Add raisins and stir until combined. Taste to adjust salt, sugar and cinnamon.
• When cool, store in a jar with a tight fitting lid.

NO-BAKE PEANUT BUTTER GRANOLA BARS WITH DRIED CRANBERRIES & PEPITAS

Steps:

• Line an 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. I like to use a long piece with the sides sticking out so I can use them as "handles" to lift out the bars later on.
• In a large bowl, mix together the oats, pepitas, cranberries, and chia seeds.
• In a medium bowl, mix together the peanut butter and 1/2 cup brown rice syrup.
• Pour the wet ingredients over the dry and mix well with a wooden spoon. If the ingredients aren't quite sticking together, add a little more brown rice syrup, stirring after each addition, until they do.
• Pour into the baking dish and press flat with your hands. The more firmly you can press, the less likely they are to be crumbly!
• Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, until firm. Lift from baking dish and cut with a sharp chef's knife. Store, refrigerated, in an airtight container for up to two weeks.