Breakfast of Champions

A few weeks ago, my guys needed an excuse to get outdoors, and so planned a quick overnight winter camping/ rabbit hunting trip. Nobody wants to be standing out in the freezing weather cooking breakfast, so I sent along some homemade protein bars, fruit, and yogurt to get them started for their second day. I don't eat granola bars very often, if ever, but they like to have them around for a quick breakfast or grab-and-go snack; I keep them individually wrapped in the freezer. I really have no idea how long they'll last because they disappear so fast!

Even though these have some interesting ingredients (ahem, TOFU!), they won rave reviews with my guys' friends, and I was even asked for the recipe from one who is not really a health nut in the least...he certainly doesn't eat a lot of whole grains and such.

I make my own granola, but you are most welcome to use store-bought. You may need to reduce the sugar in the bars, depending on the sweetness you desire. See my notes below for the harder to find items.

Granola

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

On a large, rimmed baking sheet, combine:
2 cups old-fashioned, rolled oats
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup sliced almonds (or other chopped nuts)

Warm 1/4 cup honey, then stir in 2 tbsp canola oil and 1/2 tsp vanilla or almond extract. Drizzle over oats and stir well to combine.

Bake 16-20 minutes or until toasted, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1 cup dried fruit and let cool completely. These will be crunchy around the edges, but soft and chewy in the center.


Flavor ideas:
Dried Blueberry-Almond, Tropical Fruits with Toasted Macadamias, Dried Cherry-Almond (when cool, add in a handful of choc chips), Mango Pecan, Cranberry Walnut w/Orange Zest. (In the picture above, I used sliced almonds, chopped hazelnuts, cranberries, blueberries, and raisins.)







Protein Bars

Whisk together:
1 pkg soft tofu (12 oz)
3 eggs
1/2 cup peanut or almond butter, optional


Add:
2 1/2 cups granola
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/2 tsp salt
up to 1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup soy protein powder*
up to 1 cup additional nuts or dried fruits
1/4 cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate, optional

Spread in a greased 11x7" pan (parchment paper on the bottom). Bake 35 minutes. Let cool in the pan about 5-10 minutes. Score into bars, then turn onto wire rack to cool completely. (Place rack onto top of pan, then flip over.) Makes 8 large granola-sized bars, but you may decide to make yours smaller for kiddos!

*I bought my soy protein powder directly from Bob's Red Mill. It doesn't have any added ingredients. I think whey protein powder (or hemp?) would work just fine as well, and they can both be bought in the natural foods section. Look for them by the whey/dietary drink mixes, but make sure you get just straight protein and not all the added flavors and stabilizers!