A few weeks ago, Ruth and I drove down to Baltimore to attend Expo East, one of the largest tradeshows for the natural, organic and healthy living industry in the East Coast.
My sister had been there several times before, when she worked as a buyer for a large natural food retailer. So she thought it would be a good idea to go and check out new products and make some contacts.
It was my first time there so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I wasn’t sure if anyone would pay any attention to us or take time to talk to us. After all, we’re not “important” people, right? Just two sisters with a fairly new blog…
Well, it turns out, I was wrong.
We got to talk to lots of people, from big companies, small companies, old and new, and got a chance to make great contacts and learn about great new products.
One company in particular that caught our eye was “Simple Squares” a bar company fairly new on the market. With a gazillion bars out there, you can imagine how hard it would be to come up with something new and different, something “out of the box”… But Kimberly, the founder, did it. After chatting with her for a little bit we could definitely see the passion and love she has for her product. And we could taste it too! These sweet and savory whole food bars have only 5 ingredients, are raw, gluten and dairy free and really delicious.
We enjoyed Kimberly and her bars so much that she actually inspired us to create this recipe for savory granola. Just a tad sweet, a little spicy, and definitely different from your every day breakfast granola. Sort of like the Simply Squares bars J
Have a great weekend!
Enjoy!
Vicky
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 55 minutes
- Ingredients (makes approx. 2 cups):
- 1 cup rolled oats (we use Bob’s Red Mill)
- ¼ cup grape seed oil (or any other oil with neutral flavor)
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp coriander
- ½ tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 ¼ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)
- ½ tsp ginger powder
- 2 tbsp raw pumpkin seeds
- ¼ cup raw pecans
- Preheat oven to 275F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper
- In a medium bowl, combine oil, maple syrup, salt, coriander, turmeric, smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne and ginger and mix well.
- In a large bowl, combine oats, pumpkin seeds and pecans
- Pour oil and spice mixture over the oats, mixing well with a wooden spoon or with your hand, so the oats are well coated
- Spread the mixture in one even layer on prepared baking sheet and bake at 275F for 55 minutes until golden brown, stirring every 15-20 minutes so it bakes evenly
- Let it cool completely and store it in a cool, dry place.
Stir the spices into the oil and maple syrup and mix well until the mixture turns a reddish color
Pour the oil/spice mixture into the oats and mix well until the oats are coated. The best way to get the oats to pick up all the flavor from the spices is to use your hands, so go for it!
Check and stir the granola often so it bakes evenly and remember, every oven is different! You’ll know it’s ready when golden brown
ENJOY! From May I have that recipe
This looks so delicious- can’t wait to try it!! Also looking to try the marshmellow recipe- you two sisters are really creative and adventurous!!
Thank you!! This granola makes a great topping for soups and salads. Hope you like the marshmallows
This looks fabulous!! I love the spices you used here – smoked paprika and chile powder, yum!! This is definitely a recipe I’ll be making soon.
Thanks!! It really is yummy! You can’t go wrong with smoked paprika and chili powder! We also love the extra kick from the cayenne pepper. Glad you liked it
Savoury granola?! I’ve never, ever thought of that! But it seems like such a great thing to toss on top of soups or salads – way healthier than croutons. I’m definitely bookmarking this recipe to try. Thanks so much!
Thanks! I know, we just wanted to change things up a little.
This is great on soups and salads… Stay tuned for tomorrow’s posting