I love this month’s Recipe ReDux because I made a wonderful granola recipe that fit the theme! I feel like the themes keep getting fancier and fancier. Last month was unique and intriguing with tea and this month it’s spirits (a.k.a alcohol!) Well I don’t have any cooking wines or liqueurs in my house, but I do have the best Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract. It has to be pure and it has Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans. Never ever use that fake “imitation” vanilla extract. You can tell the difference when you use the real quality stuff compared to anything fake and full of artificial chemicals.
July’s theme: A Spirited ReDux – From plain Jane vanilla extract to fancy-pants elderflower liqueur, we like to keep a little liquor in the kitchen. Show us how you like to cook, bake or mix-it-up with spirits, extracts and other alcohols. A splash of vodka makes summer sauces shine – and liqueurs brighten desserts: What’s your healthy recipe with spirit?
Vanilla extract is just one of those ingredients you can not compromise quality on. If you want that pure robust aromatic vanilla taste, then go with the real stuff. If you open up that bottle and you don’t smell the most glorious smell, throw it out! Make sure you keep the real stuff in a cool dark place, away from harmful sunlight. Vanilla extract is definitely something I want to try making on my own eventually with quality Madagascar vanilla beans and pure vodka, but until then, J.R. Watkins will always be the only vanilla you’ll find in my pantry!
And here are a few fun facts on learned on the Watkins website! “A delectable addition to dessert recipes, vanilla isn’t just for the kitchen. Use it to freshen potpourri or remove odors from microwaves, fridges and coolers. You can add a little bit of vanilla to paint to minimize the smell, and you can even keep insects away by mixing a teaspoon of vanilla with 1 cup of water and spraying it on your skin. (Bugs hate the scent!)” Ah, so I may have to use some vanilla when I sit outside to keep those damn summer bugs away 😉 Good to know!
Besides the fact that I think my Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract is fancy, I also think this granola is extra fancy because I hoped on the raw quinoa theme. That’s right, there is uncooked quinoa seeds in there! As well as quinoa flakes! When I started seeing so many great granola recipes using quinoa, I knew I had to try my own too. I absolutely loved the fresh clean quinoa taste the granola had. It worked really well with this subtly sweet vanilla pear granola.
As for the pear, I had a different pear granola flavor combo in my head, but then when I really started thinking about it, it just didn’t sound as appealing anymore. So I used the pear in this recipe instead. Plus, pears are pretty fancy too right? I mean people get those special Harry and David Pear boxes for Christmas. Yea, pears aren’t exactly summer fruit either, but I digress!
When it comes to granola, there are no seasons, there are no restraints, there is just glorious deliciousness!
Vanilla Pear Quinoa Granola
Ingredients: (serves 6)
+ 1 1/2 Cup Gluten-Free Rolled Oats
+ 1 Cup Crispy Brown Rice Cereal
+ 1/4 Cup Quinoa (rinsed)
+ 1/4 Cup Quinoa Flakes
+ 1/4 Cup Milled Flax Seed
+ 1 Cup (20g) Freeze Dried Pear (I used two bags)
+ 1/2 Cup Pear Puree
+ 6 Drops Liquid Vanilla Stevia
+ 1/2 Tsp Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
+ 1/4 Tsp Cinnamon
Directions:
+ Preheat the oven to 325°F.
+ In a large bowl, combine oats, cereal, quinoa, quinoa flakes, flax, and dried pear. Mix well. Then add the remaining ingredients and mix well so everything is mingled together and thoroughly distributed.
+ Line a baking pan with parchment paper, or an oiled piece of foil. Evenly spread the granola out on the pan and pop it in the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
+ Remove from the oven when done and let cool completely before storing in an air tight container or glass jar.
There you have it. Fancy “spirited” granola! This one would definitely be a good “gift” granola recipe. Although I just ate all this myself since…well…it was really good 😉 No one else in my house really likes granola. My mom says she doesn’t know what to put it on! That’s such a silly excuse! I love mine just plain by the handful or in a cereal bowl combined with some other cereals and almond milk…and extra cinnamon! I would live off granola if I could, but then I would miss things like apples, nut butter, and potatoes. Gotta keep it balanced my friends 😉
Before you go, remember to check out the rest of the incredible Recipe ReDux members great spirited recipes! Just click the froggy in-linkz button below to view them! (I can’t wait until my new site gets up so I can finally have the link-up show up on the actual blog and not through the stupid button! In do time folks!)
So tell me:
+ Do you or have you ever cooked with wine or actual alcohol? I have once when I made risotto many moons ago. We had to stop after the grocery store to grab a bottle of white wine. Only to realize that we couldn’t find the wine bottle opener right when I needed it! I remember frantically having my mom call up my dad to see if he knew where it was, all while my risotto is on the stove waiting ever so patiently. (P.S. Risotto is pronounced Risott-O not RisAtto. Big pet peeve of mine!)
+ Is there a certain ingredients you will never compromise the quality on? Vanilla extract is definitely one of mine, as well as cinnamon, and nut butters.
Happy granola-ing my foodie friends!
*Recipe linking up for the week! Allergy Free Wednesdays, #RecipeFridays, #RecipeOfTheWeek, #StrangeButGood, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Real Food Friday, Gluten-Free Fridays, Tasty Tuesdays, Savoring Saturdays, Healthy Vegan Fridays, #Foodie Friday, Real Food Recipe Roundup, Gluten-Free Tuesdays, Tasty Tuesdays!*
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Dibs yet
Sounds yummy !
what can I use instead of stevia ? Can I omit or replace with a little honey or coconut sugar ?
Thanks !
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
You can, but that’s up to you.
Susan@LunaCafe
Love this flavor pairing. There’s no substitute for real vanilla. I’m not familiar with quinoa flakes but will search them out. Looking forward to trying this.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Quinoa flakes will rock your foodie world! You will love them!
Kristina
only real vanilla in this house! I think I have everything to make this, sounds so good! thank you!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Real is the ONLY way to go!
Thanks Kristina 🙂
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free
I love granola, but it always seems like there is only so much you can do with it – you’ve really gotten creative with the textures in this one – too awesome!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
No way! There is SO much you can do with granola!
teffysperks
Oh wow, looks SO good!
I’m a huge fan of home made granola. So much better than store bought! I’d never seen freeze dried pears though – so cool!
{Teffy’s Perks} X
Strength and Sunshine
Granola is my life! I don’t think I will ever go back to buying store bought ever! Homemade is so much better!
dishofdailylife
Your granola sounds delicious! Real vanilla is so much better than the fake stuff!
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks girl! And yes…yes it is!
Emily @amummytoo
That looks DIVINE! Another granola recipe to bookmark to try – I am really looking forward to breakfast time 🙂 Thanks for linking up to #recipeoftheweek – sorry I’m a bit late over! Have Pinned this post and scheduled in a tweet. New linky just went live for this week 🙂 x
Strength and Sunshine
Haha, yes granola is the perfect breakfast! You can never go wrong with granola at any time though 😉
Cher Kachelmuss (@mamasmoney)
Love it! I am all about anything with pear in it!
Strength and Sunshine
Granola and pear…a match made in foodie heaven 😉
rockmyvegansocks
Oh man… I haven’t had a big bowl of cereal since I went gluten-free. This looks so good! I would especially love to eat this after a long run… mmm cereal. Thanks so much for sharing this with us at Healthy Vegan Fridays. I have Pinned your recipe to our Pinterest Page.
Strength and Sunshine
Ha, this is NOT cereal! Granola is in it’s own lovely special category of delicious 😉
Diane (@SimpleLivingEat)
Great idea combining quinoa with granola…terrific way to add protein. Pinned.
Strength and Sunshine
Yes! A crunchy protein pop! 😉
Kelly @ Trial and Eater
This looks so yummy! I make my own vanilla extract, last time I used madagascar beans!
Strength and Sunshine
Yea! That is the way to go! I want to make my own so bad!
Gaye @CalmHealthySexy
This looks delicious. Thanks so much for sharing with the Let’s Get Real Party. We are starting a Facebook group for Let’s Get Real bloggers as a place where we can get to know each other a bit better and support each other’s blogs. We would love to have you join. If you’re interested, please send the email address for your personal FB page (we aren’t able to add people from their blog pages) to me at gc @ calmhealthysexy.com and I will send you an invitation to the group.
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Gaye! I would love to join! I’ll shoot you an email now 🙂
Shirley @ gfe & All Gluten-Free Desserts
Looks and sounds delicious! I love granola, especially recipes that are not your typical ones. 🙂 Thanks for sharing on Gluten-Free Wednesdays with us all!
Shirley
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Shirley! You can never go wrong with granolas 😉
Lean Lena
Thanks so much for stopping by at the Tasty Tuesday linkup party today! Love that recipe. Definitely pinning for later!
Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Lena! I am happy to link-up anytime 😉
Stephanie
Looks so delicious! Can’t wait to try this! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Stephanie!
Nicki
This looks amazing. I never would have thought to put quinoa in granola. Thanks for sharing with Pin Your Friday Favorite!
Strength and Sunshine
Haha, its a really common ingredient everyone is using for granolas now!
Honest Mum
Another gorgeous, healthy recipe! Adore granola here, nothing sets you up better for breakfast! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays
Strength and Sunshine
Granola IS the perfect way to start the day 😉
Michelle
This sounds delicious. I love the addition of the pear. Thanks for sharing with Foodie Friends Friday.
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Michelle! 🙂
organic4greenlivings
Great recipe. I always use the Real Vanilla Extract too. I didn’t know that Vanilla extract is a bug repellant – thanks for that tips and for sharing with Real Food Fridays.
Strength and Sunshine
Haha I did not either!
Thanks Marla 😉
The Unextreme (@TheUnextreme)
I love quinoa! Have never seen it with granola before– Will definitely have to try this! Thanks for sharing! Pinned!
Strength and Sunshine
It’s the best! The little protein packed suedo-seed 😉
Audrey @ Gluten-Free Vegan Love
Looks so yummy, Rebecca! Pears + quinoa… mmm… 🙂
Strength and Sunshine
Totally 😉 Thanks Audrey!
Caroline Hooper (My Family Ties)
I really love quinoa so I will be looking forward to trying out this recipe – thank you 🙂
Strength and Sunshine
It so good! you really get the quinoa taste and it is only subtly sweet!
aiming4simple
I never use artificial vanilla. We used to get our vanilla from Haiti and Mexico when relatives brought it back for us.
Strength and Sunshine
That’s fabulous! Have you ever made your own?
Cindy Kerschner
Never tried freeze dried pears, thanks for the recipe!
Strength and Sunshine
They are great!
laura bridgman (@laurabridgman)
add me to the list of those who have never made granola, but i have a bunch of oats ready and waiting. this looks so delicious!
Strength and Sunshine
AH! Get on that stat! You will not be sorry!
Homemade granola is one of my favorite things to make and it is just so so so good!
Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily
Would you believe I’ve never made granola before? the shame….. This. Looks. Amazing! gotta try this with my yogurt ASAP!
Strength and Sunshine
O my gosh! You are missing out! Once you make your own, you will never go back to store bought 😉
Bailey K.
YUM!! We get our vanilla from Mexico. SO good. 🙂
Strength and Sunshine
Ah specialty vanilla is the way to go 😉
Rachael@AnAvocadoADay
Very cool! I love the idea of using pear puree to sweeten it! And freeze dried fruit in granola is one of my favorites 🙂
Strength and Sunshine
I love fruit purees (specifically baby food!) It comes in handy all the time!
And freeze dried is perfect for that extra crispy bite!
genevieve y
This sounds so good! I wish you could mail things through cyberspace so I could have some of this granola for breakfast tomorrow morning 😛
Strength and Sunshine
Haha I would!
It is so easy to make though and so quick! Although it seems like when your waiting for it to finish in the oven…it smells so good!
Farrah
I have less than half of those ingredients, but this sounds so, so good! *-*
Strength and Sunshine
More the reason to get out to the store and get in the kitchen! 😉
Danielle Omar MS RDN (@2eatwellRD)
Freeze dried pear!? YUM!
Strength and Sunshine
Freeze Dried is the best! I always use it in my granolas! It is perfectly crispy and keeps so much longer!
Kimberly
Oh my goodness … this sounds wonderful! I must make up a batch for breakfast next week!
And I only use REAL vanilla extract too!
Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you Kimberly! Let me know if you do! 🙂
REAL Vanilla = Love!
GiGi Eats Celebrities
I used to love chowing down on the granola… But… It’s so calorie heavy that I would always eat WAYYYYYY toooooo much! ha ha ha! Well, good thing when I did this… It was the time of my life when I was competitively snowboarding so I was working out A LOT – Now, I cannot eat grains – BAH!
Strength and Sunshine
That’s really sad 🙁
But this isn’t calorie laden since I don’t use sugar or oil! And I always bulk up my granola by adding it so a simple puffed cereal so I get more “bang” for my buck 😉
Linda @ Fit Fed and Happy
Oats seem to have taken over the internet–especially if you’re vegan!
Strength and Sunshine
They are a great grain full of so much nutrition! (As long as they are certified GF for use Celiacs!)
Casey @ Casey the College Celiac
Looks absolutely delicious! All the granola I’ve made have included uncooked quinoa and quinoa flakes and I absolutely LOVE the results. I’m addicted…. 😉
Because I’m super new to cooking (like, could only bake a potato a year ago), I haven’t tried out alcohol. Maybe one day! As for quality ingredients…probably my veggies and spices. 🙂
Strength and Sunshine
I’ll be using quinoa way more often in my granolas now!
Haha! You’ll be a cooking master soon, don’t worry 😉
I totally agree with veggies and spices! Spices for sure because they just MAKE the dish!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes
I had no idea you could do that with Quinoa. I clearly need to spend more time on Pinterest. Ha ha! Lovely recipe, and so glad you shared it Rebecca!
Strength and Sunshine
Haha, it gives it a perfect crunch and nutty flavor without the nuts!
Thanks Katie 😉
Lizzi
I have only cooked with wine a couple of times, but definitely need to get more adventurous about it. My step-mother used to make this amazing bourbon chocolate cake…perhaps I should start there. lol. Your granola looks delicious, I love that it has pears. pinned!
Strength and Sunshine
Same here! And that sounds fabulous 😉 Booze and chocolate, haha!
Thank you! XOXO
Kara Lydon, RD
Always looking for new granola recipes. Have yet to add quinoa to mine so this will be added to my list!
Strength and Sunshine
It was my first try with quinoa too and it has the perfect addition!
Sami
Great recipe Rebecca! Elderflower liqueur sounds really interesting. I’ll have to splurge and try it sometime. I love vanilla extract, I even use it in my protein smoothies.
Strength and Sunshine
I’ve never cooked with liqueurs either!
Vanilla is the best!
Michelle
This looks fantastic Rebecca. I came across your blog at the Gluten Free Diy Tuesday link party. Looking forward to having a look around.
Thanks for sharing!
Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much Michelle!
I love finding new blogs in link-ups too! Haha!
XOXO
Jill Conyers (@jillconyers)
This looks amazing! I was thinking the same thing as I read the recipe, a great gift granola!
Strength and Sunshine
Haha yes it is! Thanks Jill 🙂
dinnermom
I love the peaches! I cook a lot with wine. I always have a few small bottles in the pantry!
Strength and Sunshine
I think you mean pears haha?!
I think I need to pick up some wine this weekend!
Francesca
Nice work! Looks delish
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Francesca!
Brittany (@batrentham)
oh man… I die! I need some of that vanilla!
Strength and Sunshine
This is the best vanilla I have ever found! I seriously love just breathing in the bottle, haha!
cottercrunch
pear?! oh i love this combo! and you know i love to cook with wine. ha and drink
Strength and Sunshine
I’ve kinda have become obsessed with pear flavors right now, haha!
Hehe 😉 Cooking with alcohol…while drinking it…is just the way it has to happen 😉
Linz
wow this looks and sounds amazing!!! yes i agree with you on vanilla – must have the real thing!!
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks girl! XOXO
Yes, it has to be real! None of the imitation stuff! That’s just scary 😛
Tina Muir
Oooh yum! this sounds delicious Rebecca! I love things like this, and what a great combination of flavors! I have cooked with wine a few times, but I usually sub out vegetable stock for the wine.
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Tina!
I want to start doing some more cooking with wines, but yea, it’s always easier to go with another liquid (less expensive too!)