Quinoa Granola Bars

Ingredients

Granola

• 1/2 cup soaked quinoa (1/4 cup dry)
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
• 1/4 cup slivered almond (optional)
• 1/4 cup sunflower seed
• 1/4 cup sesame seed
• 1/4 cup coconut
• 1/4 cup cooking oil
• 1/4 cup honey

Granola Bars

• 2 cups cooked quinoa (3/4 cup dry)
• 1/2 cup mixed dried fruit (I used apricot, pear, apple, and cranberry)
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2-1 bananas
• granola cereal
• 1/2 cup chopped dates or other dried fruit
• 1/2 cup raisins

Directions

1. 1

   Soak dry quinoa in 1/2 cup of water for two hours.

2. 2

   To make the granola, mix all dry granola ingredients, including the soaked quinoa, in a bowl.

3. 3

   Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

4. 4

   Heat oil and honey in a small saucepan until thin; stir into dry ingredients until mixed.

5. 5

   Pour the granola mixture into a jelly roll pan and toast for 1 hour at 250 degrees, stirring occasionally.

6. 6

   Store in a plastic bag until ready to use.

7. 7

   Cook mixed dried fruit with 2 cups water at a simmer half the water has evaporated (about 45 minutes).

8. 8

   Add 3/4 cup dry quinoa and enough water to cover plus a quarter inche and cook over medium heat 20 minutes, adding more water as needed.

9. 9

   Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

10. 10

    Set aside 1 cup cooked quinoa; pour the rest of the quinoa with cooking liquid and fruit pieces into a blender.

11. 11

    Blend until large fruit pieces are chopped up.

12. 12

    Add 1/2 cup raisins, the salt, lemon juice, vanilla, and banana.

13. 13

    Blend.

14. 14

    (Mixture will be thick; stop the blender and push with spoon if you have to, adding water if needed) Spoon blender mixture into a bowl, stirring in granola, 1/2 cup dried fruit, and 1/2 cup raisins.

15. 15

    Press into a greased and floured glass baking dish and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.

16. 16

    Cool.

17. 17

    Cut into desired number of bars.