Sometimes I tell people my job is a professional hippie. I guess I fit the stereotype- holistic chef who wears a head scarf, stomps around in fringe moccasins on her way to yoga class and drinks kombucha with pride. Does that make me a little bit granola? Maybe. But GRANOLA. The quintessential hippie food. The first thing you likely think of, right before kale chips and green smoothies, when you think of the words “Natural Foods Chef”.
Granola is in my top-ten favorite foods, hands down- and I have no qualms about being called a crunchy tree-hugging bohemian because of it (alright, perhaps it’s not the granola lovin’ that gets me that title). This granola is my ‘classic’ granola. It’s simple in the way that once you make it, you’ll make it by heart. It’s versatile in the best sense- it moonlights as a quick breakfast food- with some homemade nut/seed milk- lets go with my favorite, hemp milk, to just amplify that whole hippie thing- an afternoon snack, crumble topping or a brunch-meets-dessert, yogurt parfait. But you’ll have to wait until Friday for that recipe.
For now, I’ll introduce you to my incredibly simple, signature granola recipe. Because you know, us hippies need to eat, too.
Dirty Hippie Feed (Vanilla Almond Granola)
1 cup rolled oats (gluten sensitive? make sure to use certified gluten-free.)
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/4 cup toasted coconut
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup raisins (optional)
pinch sea salt
pinch cinnamon
dash nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup raw honey
1/4 cup unrefined coconut oil
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together oats, almonds, coconut, sunflower seeds and raisins with sea salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together honey, vanilla and coconut oil. Mix with dry ingredients until well combined- the mixture will be crumbly.
3. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 20-40 minutes (depending on the heat of your oven), stirring as needed to prevent burning—watch the edges! until granola is golden and dry.
*if you are looking for a “clumpier” granola, stir less often- just be mindful of burning. if you want a “looser” granola, stir more often.
Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. But I promise you- it won’t last that long!
to ian- see? i wrote a whole intro on being a dirty hippie, just for you, love. xx
