Cacao Nib-Pepita Granola

Makes 5 cups

Recipe from Eat Complete by Drew Ramsey, MD http://drewramseymd.com/books/eat-complete/

Husband-Tested in Alice’s Kitchen

Our local food co-op, Lost River Market & Deli, delights in offering local produce, local meats, local eggs, etc. They also offer other items produced locally such as baby toys, comic books, jewelry and art.  I was shopping there recently and noticed that they had Eat Complete written by Drew Ramsey, whose parents live in the neighboring county.  I thumbed through the recipes and bought the book as a birthday gift for our daughter-in-law.  I decided to give this recipe a try first before giving her the book.  Wow!  This granola is mighty tasty!  I plan to make a batch and present it along with the book.  Now, I’ll have to buy the book for myself. 

Olive Oil

2 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1/3 cup chia seeds

1/3 cup hemp seeds

½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut

¼ cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

2 Tablespoons brown sugar (I used Sucanat.)

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon Kosher salt

1 large egg

2 Tablespoons cold water

3 Tablespoons cacao nibs

2 cups plain kefir or plain Greek yogurt

Preheat the oven to 300F.  Lightly grease two baking sheets with the olive oil.  In a large bowl, combine the oats, chia seeds, hemp seeds, coconut, pumpkin (pepitas) seeds, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.  Beat the egg in a small bowl and mix in the cold water.  Pour over the oat mixture and stir well to combine.  Divide the mixture between the two prepared baking sheets, spreading it out well.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, until the oats and the coconut begin to brown.  Remove from the oven and transfer to a large bowl.  Add the cacao nibs and mix until evenly distributed.  (The cacao nibs will melt a bit, coating the other ingredients….and that’s a good thing.)  Cool the granola completely before serving or storing.  Serve each portion with ½ cup kefir or Greek yogurt and your favorite fruit or berries.

Nutritional information per 1 cup serving: 379 calories; 14 grams protein; 36 grams carbohydrates; 23 grams fat (6 saturated); 37 grams cholesterol; 5 grams sugars; 12 grams fiber; 134 grams sodium. (Fiber 48%; vitamin E 40%; Zinc 34%; Protein 31%; Iron 23%)