Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Coconut Mango Granola


Close your eyes and think of the word "coconut".  What do you see?  Swaying tropical palms?  White sand beaches?  Crystal turquoise waters so warm there is no chill when entering?  Ahhh.... yes, my happy place.

Truly a tropical girl at heart, I jumped at the chance to try a sample of Kelapo Coconut Oil.  Never having tried coconut oils in the past I had no idea what I was in for.  The jar arrived with the oil in a solid form, making it an ideal substitute for butter.  Opening the jar released a light coconut scent which immediately took me to back to my happy place - the one with those swaying palms and tropical waters.

A little research showed Kelapo Coconut Oil not only to be organic (always a plus with me!), fair trade and cold pressed from Sri Lanka, but to contain high amounts of immune boosting acids including Lauric Acid.  Ostracized by the medical community in the past due to its high levels of saturated fat (13 grams per Tbs!), coconut oil is recently making a come back with evidence that the oil may even help maintain healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels.  The oil has also been shown to improve the body's ability to absorb important minerals such as calcium and magnesium which in turn will help to build strong bones.

From the Kelapo site:  Mediterranean diets receive lots of attention but the people of the Mediterranean are not the only ones with a healthy diet.  In tropical countries where coconut oil has been consumed daily for hundreds of years, there are fewer cases of obesity, heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses, than reported in the US.

With my new found information as well as my new jar of Kelapo Coconut Oil, using the oil in my Coconut Mango Granola on today's project list was a no brainer.  Filled with my favorite rolled oats, shredded coconut, nuts, diced dried mangos and ginger, and pepitas, this granola has long been a favorite.  Another versatile recipe where substitutions to what one has on hand is easy.  Have almonds?  Use them.  Out of almonds?  How about substituting macadamias?  Prefer cranberries or dried blueberries to the mango?  No problem, substitute to your hearts desire.

Using my new found tropical scented coconut oil in combination with a macadamia nut honey provided a lovely, coconutty yet slightly sweet granola perfect for my afternoon yogurt, evening ice cream, or fruit salad.  Though I think I'd have to say my favorite way to enjoy the concoction is perhaps simply out of hand, eyes closed and enjoying my swaying palm trees....

Bora Bora - 2010

Coconut Mango Granola
Liv Life - Printer Friendly Recipe Here 

2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1/3 cup slivered almonds (or chopped macadamia nuts)
1/4 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
3 Tbs candied ginger
2 Tbs pepitas
4 Tbs coconut oil (or canola oil)
3 Tbs honey
1 tsp vanilla (optional)
1/4 cup diced dried mango

Preheat oven to 300º.  Line a jelly roll pan or a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.

Place the first 5 ingredients (oats through pepitas) into a medium sized bowl and mix.  Melt the coconut oil and stir in the honey and vanilla (if using) and whisk to combine.  Stir the oil/honey mixture into the oat mixture and combine.  Pour the granola mixture onto the baking sheet and spread into a fairly thin layer on the pan.  Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until golden, stirring every so often.  Cool and add the diced mango, stir.   Place into an airtight jar and serve over yogurt or ice cream, or simply eat out of hand.

Note:  The vanilla adds a wonderful depth to the granola, we use it often, but once I left it out by accident and the granola was still wonderful, just in a different way.  Feel free to experiment with your favorite nuts and dried fruits to find your own happy place!

Huahine - 2010
 

44 comments:

  1. I love your tropical granola! What a great way to start your day!!! your pictures are gorgeous!

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  2. Mmmm, love what you did with your jar of Kelapo. It's good stuff! I am savouring mine, trying not to use it up too quickly. My husband would love this granola!

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  3. This looks amazing! I love the combination of all the tropical flavors in your granola. It's the perfect summer breakfast (or snack)!

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  4. Oooh, yes, I'm going to give this a try. I don't have the coconut oil, but I can make do (though getting some of that oil will be on my list now). The picture of the granola is perfect as well. It is toasted to just the place that I love it; just golden, not too brown.

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  5. I would like to go to the tropics soon but it looks like the closest I will get is by making this granola! Who doesn't love coconut and mango. Great post.

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  6. Sounds like the perfect snack to bring to work, the scent of coconut would be relaxing and delicious!

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  7. This is perfect timing I was looking for something like this and yours is perfect bookmarked!

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  8. This sounds amazing. It is like vacation in a jar!

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  9. I was just thinking I have got to make a batch of granola. This sounds perfect. I love ginger and coconut and mango so I think this is a great combo.

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  10. Oh yummy! I love your ingredient combinations...so tropical and exotic:D

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  11. This sounds absolutely delicious - I am bookmarking and making it soon! Mangoes and coconuts remind me of my childhood (I grew up in the Philippines) so I especially like this combo :)

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  12. I've got a view that's just dying for this granola... :)

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  13. I am on a granola kick too. My mom is from HI and used to use coconut oil as tanning lotion--ack! Can you imagine doing that now?

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  14. The only time I have used coconut oil is on my hair. I really do need to branch out. I have started having fruit and Greek yogurt topped with granola for breakfast. I think it will be so much better with homemade granola so I am looking forward to trying this one - sans the mango.

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  15. I have to say this granola mix is by far the best one for me. Both coconut and mango in it. I can probably finish the whole jar in 1-2 days. It's supposed to be healthy but without control it can be dangerous. You have been to Bora Bora! So nice! I want to visit there one day...

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  16. This sounds and looks so good. Love the add of the mango...

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  17. I would also add some banana chips! :)

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  18. What a start to the day, Kim. I've just had breakfast and wish I could have some of that coconut mango granola goodness. You've got me in a dream now with the idyllic photos. Thanks for bringing a ray of sunshine here: it's chucking it down outside!

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  19. What a gorgeous use of ingredients. This `eally is a feel good recipe must go out and buy some coconut oil now!

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  20. What a gorgeous use of ingredients. This `eally is a feel good recipe must go out and buy some coconut oil now!

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  21. What a gorgeous use of ingredients. This really is a feel good recipe must go out and buy some coconut oil now! Also love the spelt chocolate chip cookies.

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  22. BTW apologies for my two anonymous comments I spilt tea on the keyboard and whilst I was cleaning it the comments went out by mistake! :0)

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  23. I am drooling just thinking about a mango coconut granola. I would never be able to share.

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  24. I love granola..
    having a jar of it in the kitchen makes me feel like a treat is always at hand

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  25. I love granola..
    having a jar of it in the kitchen makes me feel like a treat is always at hand

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  26. I think having this granola would definitely make me feel like I was in a tropical setting - then I would open my eyes and realize that I'm still in Kentucky! Hehe... but I'd still have the granola to get me by =)

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  27. such a unique combination of ingredients. Some cereal companies may steal it.. careful.

    WOnderful indeed.
    Coming from kerala( India) which is the land of coconuts, to see such unique ways of using coconut oil really feels great.

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  28. I really need to try coconut oil! This granola looks great.

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  29. I'm trying your granola recipe today, this will be perfect sprinkled on my oatmeal in the morning! I love all the ingredients and am looking forward to trying the coconut oil;-)

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  30. So tasty with coconut and mango flavors. Love that tropical theme.

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  31. Kelapo coconut oil is great! I love cooking with it and this granola looks like something I need to make soon.

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  32. This granola is amazing! I love the flavors...mango and coconut..yummo!! Ana needs to go and take a nap so I can make this asap! :))

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  33. YUM! That is some yummy looking granola! I definitely think of blue water and swaying palm trees when I think of coconut. Or suntan lotion haha

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  34. Granola is the only breakfast cereal I eat...and your tropical version looks amazing! Great use for coconut oil...mmmmmmmm.

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  35. I love that tehre is ginger in this! Such a delicious idea. I'm going to try it in our next batch!

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  36. I love the sound of this homemade granola. Coconut and mango spell Caribbean beach in my head.
    Thanks for sharing Kim

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  37. Que foto de playa más bonita nos enseñas!! Y ese granola... que delicia!!

    Besos

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  38. Tropical granola? Yes please. I absolutely love granola, but have never mustered enough courage to make it myself. For some reason, I've always been intimidated by it. After seeing your recipe, I def want to give it a go. Looks like I need to invest in some coconut oil!

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  39. I am not a huge fan of shredded coconut (I love coconut milk and coconut oil though!), and even I want me some of that granola! And mango too... Yummy! Thanks for sharing, Kim!

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  40. Oh my goodness! I love coconut!! I'm not a huge mango fan...but I'll take a jar anyway please! This looks like it would be amazing in a Greek yogurt parfait. Yum!!

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  41. This sounds DELICIOUS. I love coconut, I love mango. I am going to make this...and if it's as fabulous as it sounds I will post to my blog, inthekitchenwithpolly.com, with the appropriate credit to you, of course, if that is OK.

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