Do you ever wonder how you could get more chocolate into your life? It's a thought that crosses my mind often. It's right up there with "I wonder what the new season of Arrested Development will be like?" (Answer: If it's anything like the first 3 seasons, it will totally rock my world) and "Is there anything cuter than baby pigs?" (Answer: No).
I was pondering chocolate and how to increase the amount of it in my day-to-day life, while making my granola for the week. It occurred to me, while I was pulling the freshly baked granola out of the oven, that I perhaps should have added chocolate to the granola. That was my light bulb moment.
The next week, armed with chocolate extract, cacao powder and cacao nibs, I got to work. I chose cacao powder and nibs over cocoa or chunks of chocolate, because I prefer bitter chocolate and I prefer to have a nice side of antioxidants, magnesium, and iron with my granola. Also, regular consumption of dark chocolate has been shown to improve cardiovascular health. How can you argue with that? You need chocolate. Science says so.
To pack this granola with even more health benefits, I decided alter my Super Seed Trifecta Granola, replacing some of the rice crisp cereal and rolled oats with puffed quinoa cereal and quinoa flakes (both of which I found in the bulk foods section of my local Whole Foods). Quinoa is not only an excellent source of protein, containing all 8 essential amino acids, it is overflowing with calcium, iron, and fiber.
The result? A very nutrient-dense granola with a bitter chocolate undertone. You will want to eat this by the handful, but please save some to eat in a bowl with almond milk (or vegan milk of your choice). The experience is out of this world. If you're trying to get more chocolate into your life, this is your opportunity!
CACAO QUINOA GRANOLA
Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups crisp brown rice cereal (gluten-free)
- 2 ¼ cups gluten-free rolled oats
- 1 ¾ cups puffed quinoa crisp cereal (or puffed millet cereal)
- 1 ½ cups quinoa flakes (or just do 1 more cup of rolled oats)
- 1/3 cup hemp hearts (shelled hemp seeds)
- 1/3 cup brown flax seeds
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- ¼ cup + 1 T cacao nibs
- 3 T cacao powder (I like Dagoba)
- ½ cup brown rice syrup
- 2 T flax oil (or other oil)
- 1 T molasses
- 1 T chocolate extract
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 275. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. In a small bowl, combine the wet ingredients.
- Heat the wet ingredients in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes. Alternatively, you can heat the wet ingredients in a saucepan, until it just begins to bubble around the edges.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and thoroughly combine. Divide the mixture between the two baking sheets and spread out evenly.
- Bake the granola for 45 minutes, switching shelves for each sheet half way though (i.e. placing the sheet from the top shelf on the lower shelf and vice versa). Once done, let cool completely before transferring to an air-tight container. Enjoy!
This was just the beginning of the influx of chocolate in my life. Stay tuned to find out what other way I'm enjoying more chocolate in my life!
All Photos taken by Chris Miller and Kristy Turner
© Kristy Turner and Keepin' It Kind, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material (content and images) without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kristy Turner and Keepin' It Kind with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Gabby @ the veggie nook
We clearly share a lot of loves in this life, chocolate, AD and baby pigs 🙂 Granola sounds amazing! I'm perfectly willing to down handfuls of this granola for the sake of my cardiovascular health. Man being healthy is difficult...
Have a great weekend Kristy!
keepinitkind
When it comes to you health, you gotta do what you gotta do, right? 😉 Take care, Gabby! xoxo
atasteofcreole
how do you use quinoa when there is no "puffed" in your area.
keepinitkind
You can use crispy rice cereal instead.
Caitlin
you are a genius! this granola, while sounds and looks indulgent, is actually ridiculously healthy! it looks delicious. i could totally see myself eating an entire batch of it in one sitting.
keepinitkind
It is soooo good! And it would totally be fine if you ate it all in one sitting- it's so good for you! 🙂
Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy
ooh chocolate, how do i love thee:) haha This looks incredibly delicious! I love the crunchiness and the fact that it used QUINOA! fabulous:)
keepinitkind
Thank you, Caralyn! The quinoa is such a great addition- you can indulge but at the same time do good for your health. 🙂
veganfling
There can never be too much chocolate! This looks awesome. Also, I love arrested development. 🙂
keepinitkind
Yay! Another AD fan! Are you as excited as I am for the new Netflix season (and upcoming movie)? My husband and I have become the biggest nerds about it!
michelle
So funny I just bought puffed millet wednesday night at Sprouts, now wondering what to do with it. Now I know...This looks great, now that you got me started making my own granola! =)
keepinitkind
The next time I make it, I'm totally doing it with puffed millet! I'm so happy that you like making your own granola! I look forward to it every week- it's how I keep my house smelling nice!
Michelle
I couldn't resist the urban food crawl freebies and jackie as the host.... ill deal with a little heat next Saturday ....
I'll fill you in about it ..have a great week
keepinitkind
Have fun! Can't wait to hear about it!
Annie
Definitely staying tuned for future chocolate installments!
keepinitkind
I'll see you on Monday then, same time, same place! 🙂
Richa@HobbyandMore
yes. i need more chocolate in my life. this is such a nutritious gramola. i need to get a hand on some puffed quinoa! 🙂
keepinitkind
Yes, you do! I hope you like it!
Cadry
Those pigs are too cute! I just love watching little piglets run. So happy. I could always use more chocolate in my life. Thanks for the help! 🙂
keepinitkind
Anytime, Cadry. Anytime. 🙂
Bex @ Vegan Sparkles
Oooooh, YES! More chocolate is always the answer! 😉
I love this and can't wait to try it! Your breakfast ideas are the BEST!
keepinitkind
Thank you! We can never have enough chocolate!
Ana Maria @ peruviansuperfood
What a wonderful idea, many thanks Kristy! Quinoa and Cacao definitively enjoys each others company :-), will share your brilliant recipe in my blog! Greetings from sunny Oslo!
keepinitkind
Greetings from southern California! Thank you Ana Maria! I hope your readers enjoy it! 🙂
Heather
I am loving everything about this granola - so so good for you plus one should never argue a scientific fact especially when it involves chocolate!
keepinitkind
There are two things I never argue against: chocolate and science. When the two are combined, I have no choice but to listen! 🙂
micha @ blissful bites
I'm always trying new healthy granola recipes but wow, this one sounds like the PERFECT combination! and I have all of those ingredients in my kitchen...... looks like this will be my breakfast tomorrow 🙂
Thanks for the recipe!
keepinitkind
Oh yay! I hope you like it! Thank you, Micha! 🙂
Somer
My kids and I watched that pig video on you tube over and over again (3 year old couldn't get enough)
I'm seriously making one of your granola's today. Can't stop drooling over this one but I'm out of too many key ingredients :/
keepinitkind
Thanks! Baby pigs totally make my day. I could watch that video over and over again too. 🙂
Michelle Mcgowan
The oven temp, what is it in gas mark?
keepinitkind
You should be able to google the conversion. I don't know the answer. Thanks!