Oil-free Tahini Power Granola

There’s something about granola that’s just so centering. Humble, forgiving, and welcoming of any addends that feeling like jumping in…not to mention delightfully crunchtastic. Packed with powerhouse seeds, nuts, and grains (and enriched if you choose with herbal supplements Gotu Kola and Ceylon Cinnamon, or other of your choosing) this wholesome, oil-free recipe is simple both to make and tailor to taste and dietary needs.

I included two Organic India supplements in this recipe, but you can always swap in your own or omit. Known as the “Herb of Longevity”, Gotu Kola is one of the most commonly consumed leafy greens in many parts of Asia. It’s no wonder this potent adaptogen is so popular. Not only has it been used for centuries as a brain and nervous system tonic, research has associated Gotu Kola with a variety of potential benefits, including memory support, stress relief, overall cognitive support and more.

Ceylon Cinnamon is a pantry staple when it comes to flavor, especially in fall–but the benefits extend far beyond warm spicy taste and fragrance.  Well known for its ability to support blood sugar levels, Ceylon Cinnamon further has digestive and cognitive benefits.

Most store-bought granolas typically come high in sugar and price. With this easy recipe, you can mix-and-match making your own in minutes. Best of all, you get to be in charge of what goes in and what doesn’t. You won’t miss any fillers when it comes to this nutty, not-too-sweet, pure goodness crunchiness, but feel free to get playful with your favorite addends and swap ingredients for what’s in your kitchen.

Homemade granola never fails to please, and inspires a sort of gleefulness that makes me want to use colloquial words like ‘scrumdillyunptious’ (now officially listed in the Oxford dictionary, I understand). Sometimes it feels a little flippant and out-of-touch to be posting about tasty food, let alone say scrumdillyumptious, when there’s so much turmoil, violence, and heartbreat in the world. In this season of reflection, I contemplate the length my gratitude list in conjunction with the weight of its privilege. I am taking delight in wholesomeness and simplicity where I find it, and hoping for peaceful paths ahead.

It's scrumdillyumptious!

Oil-free Tahini Power Granola
Yield Approximately 5 cups

2 ½ Cup oats
½ Cup dry quinoa
⅓ to ½  Cup mixed seeds of choice (flax, hemp, chia, pumpkin)
⅓ Cup chopped nuts of choice
⅓ Cup unsweetened coconut, flakes or shreds
1 ½ Tablespoons ORGANIC INDIA Gotu Kola
1 Tablespoon ORGANIC INDIA Ceylon Cinnamon
¼ Cup runny tahini
2 Tablespoons orange or apple juice
1 Teaspoon vanilla
¼ Cup maple syrup
Optional addends: ⅓ - ½  Cup dried fruit

Preheat the oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl or liquid measuring cup, combine the tahini, juice, vanilla, and maple syrup. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry and stir to coat. Spread in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and place in the oven for approximately  12 minutes. Turn with a spatula and continue baking for a further 3 to 5 minutes or until lightly browning. You can remove to let the granola fully cool, or leave in the warm oven a little longer