Connect with us

Vegetarian Recipes

Cardamom Maple Pecan Granola Recipe (No Oil)

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/yPHzu/~3/f2sD3_qwuJc/cardamom-maple-pecan-granola.html

Cardamom Maple Pecan Granola Recipe with Pumpkin Seeds. Use other spices of choice in this delicious granola with pumpkin or sunflower seeds. It makes a great gift. No Refined Sugar or oil. Vegan Gluten-free Recipe.

Snacking can sometimes be the harder to figure out, compared to meals. Its the in between meal time when you dont want something heavy but still satisfying enough. Granola and granola bars made from scratch work out really well for those times. Homemade granola has sugar you can control and oil you can omit.

Granola over vegan yogurt, porridge, chia pudding or as is from the jar, is amazing to have around. Whether you like a sweet Date Caramel Granola  , or a granola bar (Sunbutter Granola Bars), or want spicy savory snack with this Sriracha Orange Quinoa Peanut Granola or get adventurous with this Lentil cranberry Granola! There are plenty of options and variations!

This easy granola has oats, pumpkin or sunflower seeds and pecans. The maple and pecans add a buttery caramel like flavor, the pecans get candied when covered with maple and cardamom complements the flavor profile amazingly. Change it up with seeds or nuts of choice. Lets make some granola.

Ingredients for Crispy Maple Pecan Granola

  • Oats, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, pecans and coconut make up the dry volume. Add other nuts of choice and a combination for seeds for variation.
  • Flax seed egg and maple syrup are the wet binders
  • cardamom, pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon add a wonderful flavor. Use other spices of choice.
  • Other additions like dried cranberries, apricots or other dried fruit can be added for more sweet and texture.

Step Pictures for the Maple Pecan Granola

Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Mix the flax seed meal with water and let sit for 2 mins.

Add flax seed egg and half the maple syrup and mix in really well. Press and mix. Add more maple a tbsp at a time to mix in. Add in more if needed for clumpier granola.

Spread evenly in a parchment lined baking dish and bake until golden and crisp! Cool and store in a glass jar in your snack area.

Cardamom Maple Pecan Granola Recipe with Pumpkin Seeds

Seedy Cardamom Maple Pecan Granola. Use other spices of choice in this delicious granola. It makes a great gift. No Refined Sugar or Oil. Vegan Gluten-free Recipe.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time45 mins

Total Time55 mins

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American, Gluten-free, Vegan

Keyword: vegan maple pecan granola

Servings: 10

Calories: 180.43kcal

Author: Vegan Richa

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups  (121.5 g) old-fashioned oats , certified gluten-free if necessary
  • 1/2 cup  (32 g) sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds or a combination
  • 3/4 cup  (74.25 g) pecans
  • 1/4 cup (20 g) coconut shreds (small flakes)
  • 1.5 flax egg (1.5 tbsp flax seed meal + 3.5 tbsp water)
  • tbsp  maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice or gingerbread spice blend or cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • optional add in: 1/2 cup dried cranberries or currants or chopped dates or apricots

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 300 deg F ( 150 C). Line a baking dish with parchment. Mix the flax seed meal in water and set aside for 2 mins.
  • Add all the dry ingredients to a bowl and mix well. ** Add the flax seed mixture and 2 tbsp maple syrup. Mix well.
  • Add more maple syrup 1 tbsp at a time and mix in. Add enough to clump to preference. Spread the mixture evenly in the baking dish, close enough to clump but not too thick). Bake for 20 minutes. Mix around and reduce the temperature to 275 deg F (135 C). and continue to bake until golden (20 to 30 mins). Fold in the dried fruit if using once out of the oven.
  • Cool completely and store in a glass jar for upto a month. Serve over breakfast bowls, chia pudding, yogurt, smoothie bowls , overnight oats or as is.

Notes

** I like to toss the pecans in 1 tbsp maple syrup for candied pecans and them in into the granola just before baking.

Flax egg substitute: chia seed egg or Use more maple syrup

Variation: Add walnuts, sliced almonds, cashews or other nuts for variation.

Add in some chia seeds for extra crunch

Add 2 tsp oil for extra crispy granola

Nutrition is 1 of 10 Serves.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Cardamom Maple Pecan Granola Recipe with Pumpkin Seeds

Amount Per Serving

Calories 180.43 Calories from Fat 104

% Daily Value*

Fat 11.59g18%

Saturated Fat 1.86g12%

Sodium 61.44mg3%

Potassium 159.38mg5%

Carbohydrates 16.99g6%

Fiber 3.3g14%

Sugar 5.56g6%

Protein 4.1g8%

Vitamin C 0.09mg0%

Calcium 29.29mg3%

Iron 1.21mg7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Vegetarian Recipes

Ricotta Toast 4 Ways

I love a slice of avocado toast as much as the next person, but have you ever tried Ricotta Toast? Now, that’s what I call a breakfast upgrade! I whip creamy ricotta cheese with lemon zest, olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt to create a luxurious (but budget-friendly!) tangy spread that stores well in the fridge and tastes AMAZING on a slice of crispy sourdough toast. But my favorite part? There are endless ways to dress up ricotta toast, and I’ve shared four delicious variations below!

Overhead view of ricotta toast 4 ways.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this whipped ricotta toast recipe:

  • Whole Milk Ricotta: This is a creamy, slightly sweet, soft cheese made from the whey leftovers from making other types of cheese, like mozzarella. I recommend using whole milk ricotta to get the creamiest texture and best flavor for your toast.
  • Sourdough: You can use any type of bread you’d usually use to make toast. But, in my opinion, the best bread for ricotta toast is one that’s sturdy with a chewy crumb and crisp crust—like sourdough! I buy a whole loaf and slice it myself to get nice, thick slices. Other good options include whole grain, ciabatta, French bread, or bagels!
  • Lemon Zest: I zest a whole lemon and mix it with the creamy cheese. This adds the most delicious citrusy zing to the spread. Budget-friendly tip: Store the zested lemon in your fridge to make lemon water, lemonade, or to use in other recipes (like our homemade lemon curd!)
  • Olive Oil: Adds flavor and helps the cheese to whip up smooth and creamy.
  • Salt: It doesn’t matter if I’m making sweet or savory ricotta on toast; I always add a pinch of salt to make the flavors pop.

Tips & Suggestions!

  1. I highly recommend using whole milk ricotta. The higher fat content helps the cheese to whip up smooth and creamy with a cloud-like texture. Plus, the flavor is unbeatable! Lower fat options can be too watery and won’t whip to the same consistency. BUT if that’s all you have on hand, please don’t waste it! The texture won’t be the same as what’s shown in my process photos below, but it’ll still work as a topping for toast.
  2. Don’t have a hand mixer? Try your food processor! You could also whip it by hand, but it’ll take a lot longer and require some serious arm strength.
  3. It’s pretty common for ricotta to have a small amount of liquid (whey) on top when you open the container. Whenever that happens, I just stir it in before measuring my cheese.
  4. This creamy spread isn’t just for toast! I love it as a dip for fresh vegetables, mixed with pasta for a quick sauce, smothered on a sliced baguette as an appetizer, or as a spread on sandwiches. It’s really versatile and stores well in the fridge for a few days.

Make it Ahead

I love a breakfast I can prep ahead, so you already know this ricotta toast recipe is in my meal prep rotation! Make the whipped ricotta as directed in the recipe card, and store it in the fridge for 3-4 days. I usually give it a quick mix to reincorporate any liquid that may have separated before using. Then, all I do is toast my sourdough and add any toppings I fancy that day. It’s almost as easy as my overnight oats for breakfast meal prep. 😉

Ricotta Toast Variations

I think this whipped ricotta toast base recipe is delicious as-is, but it’s even better with toppings! I’ve tested many different topping combinations, but here are four stand-out favorites:

Roasted Grapes, Thyme, and Bacon

This topping is perfect for when you can’t decide between savory or sweet. Toss your grapes in a light coating of olive oil and roast in a 400°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until they become wrinkled and soft. You can cook the bacon however you’d like, but I recommend cooking it in the oven, as it’s already on and hot! Chop the cooked bacon into bite-sized pieces, layer your roasted grapes on top of the ricotta, and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves.

Overhead view of ricotta toast with roasted grapes, thyme and bacon.

Tomatoes, Basil, and Balsamic Reduction

Tomatoes, basil, and balsamic are ALWAYS a winning combination. Any kind of tomatoes work for this topping! Add a drizzle of balsamic reduction on top and fresh basil leaves, and you’re basically eating bruschetta for breakfast! YUM.

Overhead view of ricotta toast with blistered tomatoes, basil, and balsamic reduction.

Strawberry, Mint, and Honey

This whipped ricotta toast topping makes me dream of summer mornings. Bonus points if you grow your own mint and strawberries (season-dependent, of course!). Simply slice fresh strawberries, layer them on top of the toast, and sprinkle with torn mint leaves and a drizzle of honey. The flavors are so light and refreshing, and it really couldn’t be easier to make. You could also use other types of berries, like raspberries or blueberries.

Overhead view of ricotta toast with sliced strawberries, mint, and honey.

Mushrooms, Garlic, Wilted Spinach, and Red Pepper Flakes

For this one-pan topping, sauté sliced mushrooms (any type) in olive oil with a sprinkle of salt for about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute or so, then mix in fresh spinach until wilted. Season to taste before adding to your whipped ricotta with a pinch of red pepper flakes. The juicy mushrooms are irresistible, and the wilted spinach is a great way to sneak in some green veggies for breakfast, too.

Overhead view of ricotta toast with mushrooms, garlic, wilted spinach, and red pepper.

More Topping Ideas!

I honestly can’t think of a single savory or sweet ingredient that wouldn’t work well with this creamy, tangy lemon ricotta toast base recipe. Here are a few more ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

Print

Ricotta Toast Recipe

Upgrade your breakfast game with this quick and easy Ricotta Toast recipe. It’s delicious as-is, but we’ve also included four tasty variations to try!
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Total Cost ($7.36 recipe / $0.92 serving)
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 8 to 10 slices
Calories 262kcal
Author Jess Rice

Equipment

  • Hand Mixer

Ingredients

  • 15 oz tub of whole milk ricotta (just shy of 2 cups) $2.67
  • 2 tsp lemon zest* $0.50
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil $0.19
  • ¼ tsp salt $0.01
  • 1 lb loaf of sourdough** $3.99

Instructions

  • Combine ricotta cheese, lemon zest, olive oil and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
  • Using a hand mixer, whip the ingredients together until they are smooth and creamy.
  • Slice sourdough into thick slices and toast.
  • Using a spatula or a butter knife, generously top the toasted sourdough. You can save any extra ricotta in the fridge and use it for easy meal prep throughout the week. The best part about this base recipe is that the ricotta mixture lends itself to both sweet and savory toppings.
  • Top the ricotta with any flavor combinations you love or just enjoy it as-is with a sprinkle of salt and a crank or two of freshly ground black pepper. Enjoy immediately for the best texture.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*I zested one whole lemon for this recipe and then saved the rest of the lemon in a ziplock baggie in the fridge for another recipe that requires lemon juice. I don’t recommend adding the lemon juice to the ricotta for this one, as the mixture will be too wet instead of being light and creamy.

**The bake-at-home sourdough loaves from Kroger are a nice option, but they don’t yield as many slices as a pre-sliced loaf, so use whatever you like best!

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 262kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 10g | Sodium: 459mg | Fiber: 1g

how to make Ricotta Toast – step by step photos

Ricotta, olive oil, and lemon zest in a mixing bowl.

Combine 15 oz ricotta cheese, 2 tsp lemon zest, 1 Tbsp olive oil, and ¼ tsp salt in a medium mixing bowl.

A hand mixer whipping ricotta in a mixing bowl.

Using a hand mixer, whip the ingredients together until they are smooth and creamy.

A loaf of sourdough bread cut into slices on a wooden cutting board.

Slice a 1 lb loaf of sourdough into thick slices and toast.

A hand spreading whipped ricotta on slices of sourdough toast.

Using a spatula or a butter knife, generously top the toasted sourdough. You can save any extra ricotta in the fridge and use it for easy meal prep throughout the week. The best part about this base recipe is that the ricotta mixture lends itself to both sweet and savory toppings.

Ricotta toast 4 ways on a wooden serving platter, one topped with strawberries and mint, the next with roasted grapes and bacon, another with blistered tomatoes and basil, and the last with mushrooms and wilted spinach.

Top the ricotta with any flavor combinations you love or just enjoy it as-is with a sprinkle of salt and a crank or two of freshly ground black pepper. Enjoy immediately for the best texture.

Ricotta toast 4 ways on a wooden serving platter, one topped with strawberries and mint, the next with roasted grapes and bacon, another with blistered tomatoes and basil, and the last with mushrooms and wilted spinach.

The post Ricotta Toast 4 Ways appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Continue Reading

Trending