Okay, so. ‘Fess up time. I’m going through a bit of a blogging rough patch. For one: every recipe idea I have lately ends up being a dismal flop – so, of course, they don’t see the light of day here. Apparently vegetarian Irish stew (gross), sweet-potato-topped chili shepherd’s pie (boring), and sweet potato biscuit breakfast sandwiches (weird) are simply not meant to be foodstuffs. At least not by my hand.
And then add in the dietary restrictions I’m currently on, the dietary restrictions my daughter is now on, and the dietary restrictions I’m likely about to be on because I’m still having annoying little health issues and need to figure out what the h-e-double-hockey-sticks is going on. Seriously, man. Ugh.
I’m trying to keep this from full-on venting but I just want to be up front. I’m trying! And I am, for what it’s worth, pretty dang excited about this Honey Almond Quinoa Granola recipe. Of course, I did come up with this recipe months ago, when my kitchen mojo was flowing a little better. Grr.
So! How’s this granola different and awesome? Well, I’m sure you noticed the word “quinoa” up there in the title. Quinoa is great to add to granola not only because of the added protein and omegas, but it also lends a nice little extra crunch.
Honey sweetens this batch, but this granola isn’t overly sweet or sticky – it doesn’t feel like fattening granola. It feels like good-for-you granola. It’s true! There can be such a thing! At least, I think so. And in moderation and all that.
I add an egg white – yes, an egg white! – to help bind the ingredients together into a more chunky granola. Granola clusters are a good thing, at least in my book! Plus, it helps the quinoa stick to the rest of the good stuff instead of segregating itself. (I learned this awesome trick from Smitten Kitchen via Serious Eats.)
I like this granola without any dried fruit, but you’re welcome to add some if you’d like. Make it yours!
I’ll just be over here in the kitchen looking around for my mojo. Maybe I’ll start by digging through this bowlful of granola. Win/win!