Nuts and seeds are some of nature’s ‘superfoods’. Packed with vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and healthy fats, nuts and seeds are the perfect addition to recipes to add plenty of nutrition. With a new season upon us, it’s a great time to add some variety to your diet and enjoy new recipes that complement the warmer weather. I’ve done just that by making a delicious cashew, coconut and strawberry nutty granola that’s simple to make and can be used either as a granola, a trail mix or a base for some delicious, cashew, coconut and strawberry nutty granola bars. So you’ve got yourself both a filling, nourishing breakfast and a wholefood, energy dense snack too – all with one simple, base recipe.
As well as cashew nuts and sunflower seeds, I’ve used Brazil nuts in this recipe which are an excellent source of selenium – a mineral lacking in many NZ diets. Selenium acts as an antioxidant within our bodies to help protect against damage, and it’s also important for regulating blood pressure and keeping our immune system healthy. Cashew nuts are a source of magnesium, vitamin B6 and iron.
We tend to forget about seeds in favour of nuts, but seeds are also really nutritious. Sunflower seeds provide a source of vitamin E, magnesium, folate and other B vitamins and iron, as well as healthy fats, protein and fibre.
Enjoy the granola with milk and yoghurt of your choice, or grab a handful as a yummy snack. The bars make a good on the go option for a snack or even breakfast on the run.
GIVEAWAY!! I’ve got an awesome prize pack to give away thanks to Tasti, including some of the ingredients I’ve used here. You could win:
x 1 Tasti Tin filled with:
– 1 pouch of 300g walnuts
– 1 pouch of 300g cashews
– 1 pack of 70g sliced almonds
– 1 pack of 70g macadamias
– 1 pack of 60g coconut chips
– 1 70-100g “surprise pack”
– 1 pack of Smooshed Wholefood Balls
To be in the draw to win, simply comment below with what nuts and seeds you like the most and click on the facebook share button at the top or bottom of this page. Competition will be drawn 14th October 2016. Open to NZ residents only.
Congratulations to Clare – you’re the lucky winner 🙂 I have emailed you to arrange your prize delivery.
Here’s the recipes.
Cashew, coconut and strawberry granola
With a base of cashews, brazil nuts and sunflower seeds plus a little coconut and oats, this is a filling breakfast that tastes great with milk, yoghurt and some added fresh fruit. Because it’s high in fibre and healthy fats, a small serve is all you need to help keep you feeling full and satisfied.
It’s quick and easy to make – simply a matter of throwing together a few packets of the new Tasti bulk nuts and seeds packets together, and mixing in a couple of other ingredients and you’ve got yourself sorted for breakfast or snacks for a good few weeks.
Ingredients:
1 300g packet of Tasti cashews (2 cups)
½ 300g packet Tasti Brazil nuts, chopped (1 cup)
½ 300g packet Tasti sunflower seeds (1 cup)
1 60g packet of Tasti coconut chips (1 cup)
1 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoons macadamia nut oil
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ packet freeze dried strawberries (these make it really delicious and are worth buying, but you could also add ½ to 1 cup of dried fruit of your choice instead)
In a large wok or pan, add the nuts, seeds, coconut and oats and turn heat to medium. In a mug or small bowl, mix together the macadamia nut oil, honey/maple syrup and cinnamon and drizzle over the dry ingredients, turning the dry ingredients over as you do this. Keep stirring the mixture for around 10 minutes, until lightly toasted. Take off the heat.
Leave to cool, then fold through the freeze dried strawberries. You may want to break up the slices a little bit.
Store in an airtight jar in a cool place. You can have this for a cereal or take a handful for a healthy, nourishing snack. You can also use this to create the yummy granola nut bars below.
Cashew, coconut and strawberry granola bars
Ingredients
¼ cup almond or peanut butter
¼ cup coconut oil
2 – 4 tablespoons honey (add depending on your preference for sweetness)
1 ¾ cups of cashew, coconut and strawberry granola (as per recipe above)
¼ cup sunflower seeds
¼ cup coconut threads
1 large handful of freeze dried strawberries
In a pot, melt together the peanut butter, coconut oil and honey over a medium heat until lightly bubbling. Add the granola, sunflower seeds and coconut threads. Lightly crush the strawberries and stir the wet and dry mixture together until well combined.
Place the mixture in a small 18 x 14cm lined tin and press down firmly with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle some extra strawberries and coconut on top if desired.
Freeze until firm and cut into fingers, then cut these in half again. Store in the fridge as these will soften in a warm room.
Makes 10 pieces – simply double the recipe to make more.
The bigger and handier packs of bulk nuts and seeds from Tasti are now available in New World and Pak n’ Save.
This post was made possible thanks to Tasti
I love all nuts and seeds but macadamias and cashews would have to be my fav 🙂 So good on top of my yoghurt and berries for arvo tea or added in to my favourite bliss ball recipes! The tasti tin would be awesome to try! 🙂
Almonds. But cashews are a very close second!
Can’t live without Almonds!!! Yum!
We love almonds, cashews and pumpkin seeds the most, I think, and use them a lot in cooking/baking. Would LOVE the chance to win this pack, thanks. 🙂
Also planning on making your granola this week – it looks amazing!! Will have to pick up some freeze-dried strawberries. Thanks for sharing another awesome recipe. 🙂
I love making homemade granola and bliss balls at the moment but my absolute favorite at the moment is Macadamias. So yummy.
My husband prefers a simple combination of peanuts and raisins, my daughter likes a bit of everything as long as it includes loads of almonds, and I’d be quite happy with just a handful of salted cashews!
Oooh these look yummy! I absolutely love cashew nuts.
I love cashews and find baking with nuts can also mean leaving out sugar as the sweeter nuts lend to the taste love nuts
I love my cashews, not as much of a fan of almonds.
I love Macadamias!
We love sunflower and pumpkin seeds! Use them to make bliss balls and to add a crunch to roast veges or stir frys 🙂
We love pumpkin seeds, almonds and cashews yum…would love to win!
I love all sorts of nuts and seeds m if I had to choose a few, I’d say Macadamia, almonds, walnuts, chia & sunflower. Yummm!
I love many types of nuts and seeds it’s hard to choose just a couple as my favourite!! But I would say that almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are at the top of my list ???? so healthy and delicious as a snack or added to baking and salads. So versatile ????
I can’t live without nuts & seeds I use them in almost everything I can. I’ve always got them but I do use a lot of pumpkin & sunflower seeds
Just got to try this. I love all nuts…so yum! Nice in salads too. ????
I LOVE pumpkin seeds, almonds, walnuts, cashews, Brazil’s, pistachios, peanuts, macadamia’s..ok pretty much ALL nuts! These recipes look fantastic. Can’t wait to try them.
I love cashews and pumpkin seeds the most but I really just love them all 🙂
I love cashews especially in stit fries etc yum
I love cashews and brazil nuts! And also love chia seeds 🙂
Oh and I love peanuts too!
Macadamia, almond and cashews are my fave! Yum!! ????
I usually eat cashew nuts lightly salted, but I have been enjoying them unsalted too. I do prefer raw almonds to cashew nuts at the moment thanks…;)
I love walnuts! Especially with yoghurt and cinnamon.
I love cashews for savoury snacks and recipes, and walnuts for sweet ones
I love all nuts and seeds – I put them in salads and stir fries – love coconut flakes in muesli -my favourite naughty treat though is white choc & macadamia cookies ????
I love all nuts and seeds – use in stirfries and salads – live coconut flakes in museli – my favourite naughty treat is White choc and macadamia cookies ????
Almonds!
Cashews are the new fave because of how versatile they are!! They make the most gorgeous cream cheese substitute as well!
I love cashews and almonds, this has everything I love in one bowl of goodness
Almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, cashew nuts, pistachio nuts, all nuts & seeds are really yummy!!!
I love the sliced almonds!!
So easy to take on the road and to add to my raw vegan desserts 🙂
Love Brazil nuts and pecans.
I’m big on Brazil nuts and Pumpkin seeds at the moment. Cashews will always hold a place in my heart too though, so delicious!
Pistachios and walnuts are my very favourite nuts. Especially with some dried fruit like cranberries and apricots.
This is honestly my ultimate prize! I eat lots and lots of nuts and seeds to help my body as I prepare for a kidney transplant. I eat anything and everything but I really enjoy medjool dates stuffed with Brazil nuts for an easy portable snack, amazing for potassium and selenium! And I always love to throw cashews, sunflower and pumpkin seeds info my salads.
I love pecans and hazelnuts the best!
Love Macadamia Nuts! You should refs try the Cathedral Cove Macadamia Nuts!!
I love Cashew Nuts and Pumpkin Seeds!! Yummy!!!
What an awesome prize and recipe! My boyfriend and I love homemade granola, and we were just talking about how we need to make a batch now that it’s getting too warm for porridge 🙂 My favourite nuts are macadamias, they’re such a treat!
I love pumpkin seeds the most out of all the seeds, then cashews, almonds, peanuts and hazelnuts are my favourite nuts.
My favourite are macadamias and cashew nuts!!! They are so addictive, I could eat a whole bag!!!
I love cashews and almonds ????
I love pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds & hazelnuts! Thanks for this recipe…looks amazing & a wonderful competition!
We love roasted cashews and peanuts yummy.
Has to be almonds and peanuts ????
Almonds and walnuts, go so well in so many dishes. Especially salads
Yum! Will make this recipe this weekend!
Love all nuts and seeds! Favorites include macadamia, pecan, almond and cashew. Will definitely be making above recipes!!0
BRAZIL nuts! Roast them a bit with sunflower seeds and a dash of warm honey and a pinch or so of coconut – DELICIOUS!
Almonds and sesame seeds!!!!!!
Love all nuts and seeds. But I always go for Almonds and pumpkin seeds first!
Macadamia nuts are a treat but walnuts and sunflower seeds are pretty Tasti too!
I love hazelnuts and macadamias! I always make my own muesli and will have to give this on a go next time
All nuts & seeds a staple daily. Love Macadamias, Pinenuts, Brazils !!!
Cashews are my favourite, especially the raw ones! I love them on my porridge 🙂
Almonds and sunflower seeds
I LOVE macadamias! Never have them very often because they’re more expensive than others, but they are soooo good
I love them all but if I have to choose then I’d say hazelnuts and sunflower seeds.
Macadamias and cashews are my fav!
My all time favourite nuts are cashews. I also love sunflower and pumpkin seeds
Sunflower seeds and almonds are my go to every time I make muesli!
Cashews, they are just so versatile and work in sweets or savoury recipes!
I love walnuts, brazil nuts and cashew nuts. Sunflower and pumpkin seeds are great in home made bircher muesli too.
I love walnuts, brazil nuts and cashews. pumpkin and sunflower seeds are great in home made bircher mueslie.
Can’t go past an almond or a cheeky macadamia! x
I love sunflower seeds so much! They are delicious!
Definitely cashew and macadamia nuts! Also hazelnuts are always tasty
Walnuts and Macadamias are my absolute favourites !
Sliced Almonds and Sunflower Seeds are also essential in a Granola or Crumble *
My favourite nuts are cashews and almonds, and my favourite seeds are pumpkin and sunflower
I love macadamia nuts sunflower seeds pumpkin seeds sesame seeds cashews