Simple Home made Coconut Yoghurt and Crunchy Grain-Free Granola

If you or a person you care about has been advised to switch to a Paleo diet, you’ll likely know how this change can really throw you off. If you don’t know what I mean by Paleo, here an abridged description of what you should not eat: no sugar, grain, legume or dairy product. In short, it is recommended to eat animal protein, fresh vegetables and some fruits, healthy fats such as coconut oil, nuts and seeds. In last week’s blog (click HERE), I wrote about my own experience around adapting this approach to my diet to feel more energized and healthy. Since I embarked on this lifestyle change then, I’ve researched loads of recipe ideas to help me enjoy great tasting, nutritious foods without feeling like I am missing out.

One of the hardest meals to replace is breakfast.

A traditional breakfast in a Western diet is typically made up of all the foods you should no longer eat when going paleo – grains and sugar – like bread with jam, cereals, pancakes and pastries for example. If you are used to starting your day with those foods, its’ hard to think of alternatives you’d want to eat for breakfast. If you are like me, fish or chicken with a salad for breakfast is not going to cut it. Also, you can only eat so many eggs and meats, like bacon or sausage, in one week. Nor do those items seem all that nutritious.

What is a paleo-abiding person to eat for breakfast?

To be honest, when I am on the go and looking for a quick, nutritious breakfast, I tend to gravitate towards smoothies for breakfast.  I throw all sorts of fruits and veggies in a blender, add non-dairy milks and protein powder or egg whites, and I have a balanced yummy breakfast.  I’ll share some of my favorite shake recipes in future posts.  But when I actually want to sit and eat breakfast “like a normal person” alongside my non-paleo family members, I reach for my own homemade coconut yoghurt and grain free paleo granola. Add some fruit and some protein on the side, and I don’t need another meal until early afternoon.

Regardless of where you are in your food journey, these two recipes are worth a try.

Deliciousness !

Check out my favorite recipes below.  I have tried many different versions of these, but always land on these two as my all-time favorites. The yoghurt is creamy and thick with a nice bit of a fresh tang. The granola is crunchy, rich and very satisfying. You can eat the granola on the road by itself as a snack as well.

Easy Creamy Coconut Yoghurt

Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time 24-72 hours

Servings: 4 cups of creamy yumminess

Ingredients

2 cans coconut milk

2 probiotic capsules

1 large glass jar

Instructions

1. Blend coconut milk in the glass jar with a whisk.
2. Add contents of probiotic capsules using a wooden spoon (not metal!)
3. Place in a yoghurt maker or simply leave in oven with the oven light on for 24-72 hours (depending on how tangy you like it – the longer, the tangier).
4. It will still be runny at this point – don’t worry, it will firm up when cooled.
5. Place and store it in the refrigerator.
6. Enjoy!

Crunchy Gluten and Grain Free Granola

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time 40 minutes; Total Time: 50 min

Servings: 8 cups homemade granola goodness

Ingredients

2 cups raw walnuts or pecans

2 cups raw cashews or almonds

3/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds

1/4 hemp seeds

1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1 cup dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots

1 egg white beaten lightly

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1/3 cup honey or less to taste

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place first three ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse a few times to chop the nuts without grinding them to a meal.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg white with the water until slightly frothy.
4. Add coconut oil, honey, cinnamon, vanilla and salt to the egg and water mixture and mix until well blended.
5. Add the chopped nuts to the bowl, as well as the dried fruit and shredded coconut, stirring until well mixed.
6. Spread the granola mixture on a large baking sheet, pressing down, then baking for 30 minutes until crispy, flipping over once after 15 minutes.
7. Remove from oven once crispy and golden-brown, allowing it to sit for 10 minutes without stirring the granola so that it clusters into chunks.
8. Once the granola is cold, store it in a sealable porcelain or glass jar.
9. Enjoy!

Well, there you have it. Give them a try and let me know what you think! If you have any paleo recipes you’d like to share, please include them in the comments section below or on my facebook page

In good health,

Simone