All tagged Raisins

Chocolate Banana Bread Granola (Oil-Free, Sugar-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan)

Decadent and indulgent- the two words that come to mind when eating this delightful chocolate banana bread granola.  Crunchy banana granola clusters, chewy raisins, and sweet mulberries are balanced with the bitter sweetness of cacao nibs.  Served with warm oat milk, the flavors combine to taste like a guilty chocolate chip banana bread 😊

Serves: 10

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

What (your ingredients):

2 very ripe bananas

2 teaspoons cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground ginger

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

2 cups rolled oats

2 cups quinoa flakes (If you cannot find quinoa flakes at your health foods store, sub with 2 cups of rolled oats)

¼ cup pumpkin seeds

¼ cup cacao nibs

¼ cup mulberries

1/3 cup raisins

How (your directions):

Preheat oven to 400 °F.  Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.  Hint: the silicone mat or parchment paper is crucial for preventing the granola from sticking to the baking sheet, as this recipe is oil-free.

In a blender, add bananas, spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves), vanilla extract, and salt.  Blend until smooth.

In a large bowl, combine oats and quinoa flakes.  Pour banana spice mixture over oats and quinoa flakes and stir until well combined.

Pour mixture onto baking sheet and press firmly into an even layer.  This will allow the granola to form those desirable clusters!

Bake for 10 minutes, then stir and flip granola gently, allowing clusters to remain intact.

Bake for an additional 10 minutes, and stir.  Repeat once more until the granola has baked a total of 30 minutes and is golden brown.

While the granola is warm, stir in remain ingredients (pumpkin seeds, cacao nibs, mulberries, and raisins).

Allow to cool before storing in an airtight container for up to 10 days.

Enjoy with warmed oat milk for a cozy and energizing breakfast!

Why (the science):  Cacao nibs are rich in magnesium, which can help improve mood, focus, and energy- the perfect reason to enjoy this sugarless chocolate chip as part of your morning breakfast ritual!

Cinnamon-Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

Sometimes, dinner simply needs to be prepped and on the table in less than 40 minutes.  Start to finish, this elegant quinoa stuffed acorn squash accomplishes that goal, but it will look like you spent hours in the kitchen creating it!  Children are apt to love it, since the flavor profile leans toward sweet, especially with the cinnamon and raisins.  Quinoa is a complete protein, so this filling dish would make a great “Meatless Monday” option.

Easy Apple and Spiced Grape Chutney

Nothing tastes more like the comfort of Fall than apples and spices!  It’s too easy to make your own chutney, which serves as the perfect accompaniment to Quick-Brined Rosemary Pork Chops.  Add even more flavor using spiced jam from the Preserving Place, a beautiful locally-owned and operated artisan store located in the Westside district of Atlanta and conveniently ships all across the country!

Fettuccine with Saffron Cauliflower

This recipe was inspired by one of my favorite meals, served for dinner at an olive plantation I stayed at in Sicily- it was so good, I make a variation of it frequently, and my family always requests it when I visit (so you know this one’s a winner)! The cauliflower becomes nutty when sautéed, the pine nuts add crunch, the raisins add chewy sweetness, and the saffron makes it an incredible golden color! 

Mango and Cashew Curried Chicken Salad

Nothing says summertime like homemade chicken salad atop crusty whole grain bread or a bed of arugula, and this recipe takes chicken salad to a whole other level of flavor: I use mango instead of grapes for a touch of sweetness and juiciness, crunchy cashews in place of traditional pecans, and a lightened-up dressing using yogurt that pays homage to Indian cuisine! Don’t be intimidated by the list of ingredients, as chances are you have most of these in your fridge or cabinet already  Serves 8 (Leftovers will hold in fridge for 5 days)