I love the turn of a season, there is fresh energy present a new beginning. The change between summer to Autumn is my favourite of them all. The warmth from the lingering summer sun but with a fresh cool movement of the air. For me Autumn is a fresh start, a renew of energy that gets drained by the heat of summer. It brings me clarity.

And with Autumn there is a promise of winter, licking quickly and quietly at it’s heels. A time where, warm spices and hot long slow cooked braises and tagines can be found bubbling gently on my stove. I crave it.

This granola with it’s warming sweet spices and nourishing seeds is the perfect for the season. To be eaten both cold from the pantry or heated gently in a frying pan and served hot with roasted winter fruits. It is all at once comforting and filling. Nourishing and decadent.

Made on a base of toasted whole buckwheat groats with the inclusion of chia seeds, sunflower seed, linseed and pepitas combined with your favourite nuts the granola falls into the Paleo friendly group, is Gluten free and refine sugar free, as it is sweetened by a little maple syrup. Flavoured here with my favourite chai spice combination to bring a subtle warmth to my mornings. Here I have used Goji berries (available from good health food stores) but you can substitute with your favourite dried fruit. I love the way the goji pops in the granola, not to mention it’s amazing health properties like vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and Protein.

I have served the granola here with some coconut yoghurt, coconut flakes and some Anise Roasted Plums. You can find that recipe here

Chai Spiced Paleo Granola

Serves 4-6 prep time 5 minutes cooking time 30-40 minutes

1 cup Buckwheat groats raw

1/2 cup Shredded Coconut

1 cup of mixed seeds (i used sunflower, pepitas, chia. linseed)

1/2 cup linseed meal

1/2 cup chopped nuts (cashew, almonds etc)

1/4 cup oil (i used a mix of coconut, olive and macadamia)

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 tsp grd cinnamon

1/2 tsp grd ginger

1/2 tsp grd cardamon

1 tsp Vanilla essence

1/4 cup goji berries

Preheat oven to 160C

In a baking dish add the buckwheat groats and place into the oven to toast for 10 minutes or until light brown and nutty flavoured.

Add the linseed meal, mixed seeds, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, ground cinnamon, ginger and cardamon and mix to combine.

Add the oil and Maple syrup and toss until combined and evenly coated.

Place in the preheated oven and toast for 30 minutes tossing regularly for even toasting.

Once toasted, remove from oven and cool in the baking dish, then add the goji berries and toss to combine.

Keep the granola in an airtight container in your pantry for up to 3 weeks.

Notes:

Buckwheat groats are available from health food stores and online

Linseed meal is available from health food stores, online in major supermarkets.

The maple syrup can be replaced by apple syrup, honey or rice malt syrup.