Skillet granola ~ vegan and juice-sweetened

In preparation for Easter, our church has undergone a 21 day fast. You may be thinking 21 days without food….I’m not sure that’s even possible. Nothing is mandatory, but we are encouraged to sacrifice in response to the sacrifice made for us. And it doesn’t even have to be food. Some are fasting tv time, internet time, social media, or other habits they know are a distraction in life. In the food arena though, many are following a Daniel fast. Have you heard of it?

There are several versions I’ve seen online, but mainly the Daniel fast is eating vegan….no animal products, meat, dairy, eggs or seafood. It’s stricter than a regular vegan diet though because there’s also no sugar or sweeteners of any kind, white flour, processed foods, yeast, deep fried foods, caffeine, alchohol or other beverages. Basically you eat fruit, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds and olive oil. It’s a very strict way of eating.

My hubby and I have been doing the Daniel fast since our return from Disney (March 19th was our first day). I wasn’t sure whether or not I’d be sharing about it here since a fast is between you and God. But I’m kind of in a tough spot being a food blogger….eating this way has forced my creativity, and I’ve come up with many new recipes. And that’s what this site is all about….creativity in the kitchen. How can I not share these recipes with you guys? Since it’s church-wide, I guess our fasting is technically not much of a secret anyway. I had visions of starting a facebook group for those in our church doing the fast, so we could exchange meal ideas, but then I kept getting stuck on how many people may not be talking about it. 😉 I think I think “too much!”

I have to tell you it’s been an amazing experience! Not only spiritually, but also physically. It’s been an awesome detox! I thought I was going to modify (as some do) and keep at least 1 cup of hot tea a day….you know what a tea drinker I am. But when my hubby gave up his beloved diet soda, I knew I had to really feel the sacrifice in that area. It has been incredible to see my hubby drink only water, and eat so many fruits and veggies. Remember he is NOT a veggie eater. He’s a meat eater through and through. We break the fast this Friday……Good Friday, and as much as I’m looking forward to eating certain foods again….I’m kind of sad for it to end. We’re definitely going to keep up with all the fruit, veggies and water drinking….after all fresh produce should be the bulk of what we eat anyway.

I’d love to hear from you guys ~ Did you give anything up during the Lent season this year?

Skillet granola ~ vegan and juice-sweetened
Author: 
Recipe type: Breakfast, snack
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 3-4
 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup oats, organic if possible
  • Juice of 1 large orange
  • 2 Tbsp coconut, unsweetened
  • 2 Tbsp flax, ground
  • 2 Tbsp almonds, ground
  • 2 Tbsp walnuts, ground
  • pinch of sea salt
  • ¼ cup raisins, organic if possible
Instructions
  1. In a large nonstick skillet, add oats and coconut.
  2. Slice orange in half and squeeze juice over the oats trying to cover the oats with juice.
  3. Stir oats to coat with juice.
  4. Sprinkle with desired amount of sea salt.
  5. Over low heat (3-4) stir oats and toast them. Continue toasting them over low heat stirring as needed for about 10 - 20 minutes until toasted. You can also turn down the heat to 1 or 2 and stir occasionally if you don't have a lot of time to man the burner.
  6. While oats are toasting, use a coffee grinder to grind flax, almonds and walnuts (each separately). If you don't have a coffee grinder use flax meal or omit flax, and grind your nuts in a food processor.
  7. Add flax and nuts to last couple minutes of cooking time otherwise the flax will burn.
  8. Remove from heat and stir in raisins.
  9. Eat plain or with almond milk. Also good with a sliced apple, or as a grab and go snack mixed in with other nuts and seeds.

 

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15 Responses to Skillet granola ~ vegan and juice-sweetened

  1. I love making granola at home! So much cheaper than buying it and you can control everything that goes into it. I don’t know that I would have the dedication to do a fast like you’re doing, but I sure do admire you for sticking to it. Very good, Denise!
    Lana @ Never Enough Thyme recently posted..Jezebel Sauce

  2. michelle says:

    SO proud of you with the tea! 😉 I KNOW how much you enjoy your tea, and, I have to say… the granola was fantastic! xoxo!
    michelle recently posted..baked chicken parmesan

  3. Tracy Wood says:

    Your granola looks great – I did not give up anything this Lent, but I certainly admire you and your hubby for what you did!
    Question: do you toast the oats with the orange juice…. together in the skillet? Or do you toast the oats dry and then add the juice??? I plan on making this!
    Thanks!
    Tracy Wood recently posted..Mushroom Steak Hoagies

    • Denise says:

      Tracy,

      Yes….you toast the oats with the juice. Coat them well….that’s what makes it a bit sweet since you aren’t adding sweetener.

  4. Carol Stettheimer says:

    As far as the almonds and walnuts go, why ground instead of chopped?

    • Denise says:

      Just preference….you could chop them also. My thought was that grinding the nuts would add a sweetness since there is no sugar in the recipe. 😉

  5. marla says:

    LOVE skillet granola ~ this recipe looks great!

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  7. Jennifer says:

    Hi! I found this recipe through Pinterest, and it looks delicious! I can’t wait to try it! This may be a crazy question, but could I use apple juice instead of orange (and maybe some apple pie spice)? I have never seen a recipe for juice-sweetened granola, and I am SO excited about it!!!

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