Vanilla Mac Nut Granola (Grain Free)

Anyone who's been on a grain free diet knows that breakfast can be pretty boring. Eggs are wonderful and all, but I don't like to eat them everyday. So this granola is a nice mix-up for me. I'm also cutting back on my PUFA's so I'm not eating most nuts, seeds or bacon/pork atm (Matt Stone put together a great list of foods high, moderate and low in PUFA's here).  I'm also enjoying homemade Orange Julius' lately too. Orange Julius' are full of nutrients and low in PUFA's as well. 

Vanilla Mac Nut Granola

I used 10 ounces of Macadamia Nuts, 1 1/2 cups of coconut flakes (shredded coconut will work too), 2 egg whites (save the egg yolks for making Orange Julius), 2 teaspoons of vanilla, pinch of unrefined sea salt and 2-3 tablespoons of maple syrup, organic cane sugar, honey or sweetener of choice.

Soak the macadamia nuts in water for 8 hours. This reduces phytic acid. Chop nuts up into halves or quarters. In a mixing bowl or large ziplock bag, mix nuts and coconut together. Add vanilla, salt and sweetener and mix well. Add more sweetener to mixture if needed. Mix in egg whites until the granola is coated.

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 pan with coconut oil. Spread granola evenly in pan and bake 15-20 minutes. Once the granola is lightly toasted, use a spatula to break up the granola. Bake 5-10 minutes more or until golden brown and crunchy.